Chapter 7
Kookaburra Lane
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is just a little creative castle in a way tooo big sandbox.
Many thanks to my beta MooMooMavis, she is the saviour of this story!
How many of you found the little Easter egg in the last chapter? Let me know.
As always thanks for reading and please review or comment. Reviews keep me going.
Hermione and Harry were packed and ready to check out of the hotel within half an hour.
Their hotel sat at the entrance of the Caiman Cove, an upscale square in the wizarding district of Canberra.
The two friends were still surprised by how big the magical quarter was, at least three or four times bigger than Hogsmeade. There were elegant squares and alleys, little streets alongside the shore, a big pier with a quidditch stadium, fields with children playing and flying, a magical creatures reserve that looked like a beautiful zoo, and a wizarding arboretum which looked very inviting to Hermione.
She imagined herself there in the spring, reading a book while sitting on a blanket under trees in bloom; she sighed with longing and Harry looked at her questioningly.
She shook her head and shrugged, smiling to show him that everything was ok, and it really was, it had just been a very long and full day, and the afternoon was just beginning.
She needed some time for herself to try and organize her thoughts, to accept all the changes in her life, and to finally grieve her dad. She resolved to ask her mother to show her where he was buried. Maybe, they could go there together and she could say goodbye.
"What do you think 'Mione? Shall we ask by the pub about a place we can take David to fly? I see the fields over there with children flying but I don't know if they are part of a school or open to the public?" Harry was looking at the children playing and there was such a look of longing in his eyes that Hemione felt her heart clench.
She really wished she could go back in time and change his childhood into a happy one. If there was someone who deserved love and happiness, it was Harry.
"Yes, I think the best we can do is ask someone. Maybe the people working at the quidditch shop know the best places. We can ask later, when we go buy David's broomstick. Shall we go and get something to eat? When was the last time you had McDonald's?" Hermione asked him, only to suddenly stop when she saw Ron step out of a dingy cafe, his arm around the waist of a beautiful blonde. "Is that Ron? Or am I hallucinating?"
Harry frowned and followed her line of sight. "What the hell? I thought he took the portkey home this morning. What is he still doing here? And, why didn't he send us a Patronus if he couldn't leave?" He said all this while walking towards Ron who, still unaware he had an audience, was now happily and noisily snogging the blonde.
Harry was in his thunder mode, that's what Hermione called it anyway. He was focused on Ron and nothing else. There were sparks coming from the tips of his hair, like little lightning bolts.
"Ron, what are you doing here? I thought... We thought you left this morning."
There was a noise, like water slowly draining from a sink, and Ron's lips were suddenly free. He paled, seeing his friends there in front of him.
Hermione was standing there tapping her foot in frustration, arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed.
"Was there a problem with your portkey, Ronald? You could have sent us a Patronus." Hermione said, in a tight voice. How could he talk about wanting to be with her, when he went around snogging strange girls?
"I'm sorry, that was rude of me." Hermione turned her sharp gaze from the red-head to the blonde girl, still attached to his hip. "My name is Hermione Granger and this is Harry Potter." She offered her hand forward with a forced smile. "Obviously, you already know Ronald.."
At the mention of his name, Ron started to recover from his initial shock and was hastily trying to think of how to contain the damage, "this is Miranda…"
"Amanda!" interjected the blonde. "We slept together twice and you don't even remember my name?!"
Ouch, that was so typically Ronald. Hermione thought, watching the blonde bimbo, sorry Amanda, try to beat up Ron, who was at least 20 centimetres taller.
Harry's face was red. Hermione almost expected her friend to have a stroke.
"Are you angry or are you trying not to laugh in his face? Or cringe at her voice?" she whispered in his ear.
He lost the battle; he let out a guffaw of laughter that made even Amanda stop her assault on Ron's person and take a look. There were now tears in Harry's eyes, he was bent over, hands on his knees and wheezing.
Ron's ears and neck started to turn beet red, a clear sign of an impending explosion, so Hermione put up a privacy charm, hoping to keep the curious passersby at bay.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?!" Ron yelled.
Harry straightened up and looked at Ron in revulsion. "I don't know what disgusts me more; you not remembering the name of a girl you slept with (and I'd really like to know when that happened), or the fact that you keep saying you want a chance with Hermione."
Hermione nodded at that, making Ron frown, while Amanda was looking at them with wide eyes.
"Hold on. I'm sorry," she interrupted Harry cautiously, "did you say your names were Hermione Granger and Harry Potter?" Amanda asked.
Harry and Hermione nodded at her in confusion.
Amanda turned to Ron, her face full of rage. "You told me you were the only one of the Heroes Of Hogwarts here in Australia, and that they," she pointed towards the very perplexed Hermione and Harry, "were in the mental ward at your hospital being treated for exposure to the Cruciatus Curse. Is there something you DIDN'T lie about?"
Wow, seriously? He goes around saying he is the only one of the Golden Trio still standing, just to get some tail? Harry thought, glancing at Hermione, who looked utterly mortified. He turned to Ron with a raised eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.
"Well…" Ron muttered, looking everywhere except at them, "you must have misunderstood me. I never said that."
Amanda huffed and crossed her arms, then spun on her heel and left without another word.
"You have a gift for making people mad, it appears. Was there something wrong with the portkey this morning?" Hermione asked Ron, eyes narrowed in suspicion. She had heard Amanda say they slept together twice, but when?
Ron was shuffling his feet, not looking at his two friends and trying to look as innocent as possible. "There was nothing wrong with it, I had to go to the toilet and it was so busy that I ended up missing the portkey. I already reserved one for this afternoon, it was the first one available." Hermione could see that he was telling the truth, Ron's ear tips always turned red when he lied, a clear sign he was uncomfortable.
"I didn't want to disturb you two with something so stupid, so I thought I could have something to eat and then browse the quidditch shop for a couple of hours."
Harry was nodding, believing his best mate. It was something that could happen to Ron, who never really cared about punctuality.
"And what about Amanda?" Harry asked, seeing that Hermione was hurt by the sight of a potential paramour in someone else's arms.
Ron scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment, sneaking a glance at Hermione to see if she was jealous. "I met Amanda the day you restored your mother's memories. After we argued, I left to cool down a bit and I met her while I was drinking. I think I drank too much and said some things she may have misunderstood." He was annoyed, how dare that bint spill what he told her while bragging! "Anyway, one thing led to another and we spent the night together."
Hermione was internally fuming. Ron was twisting everything his way, acting like they didn't hear the lies that Amanda had accused him of sprouting. Unfortunately she didn't have the time, nor the will, to throw a rant about it.
"I am sorry but I really have to go now, we will talk about it when we get home. Don't think I will forget what Amanda said. Have a good return trip home." Hermione said towards Ron, in a cold tone and without a hug. She then turned to Harry and put her hand on his arm, "I am going to get something to eat at McDonald's. Will you join us at my mum's? "
Harry gave her a quick one armed hug and shoved her lightly laughing. "Go, before your mother sends the fire brigade. I will be there in 20 minutes, ok?"
Without another glance at Ron, Hermione apparated away.
Harry stared coldly at him, making him feel as small as a mouse, and said in a frosty voice, "that was strike two Ron. How can you say you want a relationship with her and then go and do something like that! And don't think that I am unaware of what you usually say when you're drinking; how you were the real hero; how we would be dead without you and other such bullshit."
Ron was starting to blush now, he thought Harry and Hermione were unaware of his bragging. But how was he supposed to pick up girls if he said he was just the sidekick, the one who ran away? He was simply colouring the truth a little bit.
Harry wasn't done. "You were my first friend, and your family is my family. I love your sister, but that doesn't mean I will forgive you every single time you screw up. You are really reaching the limits of my patience. Go home, get yourself in order. Find some help, or I won't hesitate to talk with Kingsley and tell you are not qualified nor stable enough for training." Harry meant it this time. Ron wouldn't be able to coast on his own fame in Auror training, and he wouldn't have Hermione to help him with the homework.
Ron was fuming, yet was strangely impressed with Harry. Never had his friend stood up to him like this, but that didn't mean he had to like it or accept it. He would play along for a couple of months, then 'Mione would be at Hogwarts and they would be mates again, without the bint driving Harry away. Yes, he would be the good sidekick and bide his time until it was the right moment to strike.
"You are right mate. I think I needed to hear it, and I'm not mad. You know sometimes I need a kick up my ass to pull me back in line," he chuckled, embarrassedly.
Harry looked suspicious of this quick turnaround, but took it in good faith. "Yeah I know, be happy it was me and not 'Mione or your mother". Ron shuddered at the thought, his mother would skin him alive if she knew what he was up to.
Harry said goodbye to Ron, urging him to go to the Ministry lest he missed his portkey again and then apparated to Helen's house, his domicile for the coming few days.
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Helen and David were in the kitchen setting up the table and making a fresh salad, Hermione was not yet there, when Harry knocked on the garden door.
David went to open the door but was stopped by his mother, who greeted Harry with a friendly smile before introducing him to David.
Harry didn't have much experience with children, his godson was still an infant and he didn't know anyone with preschool aged children.
"Hello David, my name is Harry, I am your sister's best friend. We went to school together and had many adventures." Harry was squatting in front of David to try and look him in the eyes.
"Are you a witch too? Do you have magic like Minnie?" David asked excitedly.
There was a spark in his eyes that reminded Harry of Hermione in her 'quest for knowledge mode'.
"As a matter of fact I do have magic, and that makes me a wizard. But you shouldn't ask things like that to people you don't know. Did Hermione tell you about keeping magic a secret?"
Helen interjected, "she did. She put a kind of charm on him where he can't talk about magic to people who don't already know about it."
Harry released a relieved sigh, of course Hermione already thought about that.
"Where is Minnie? I thought she was going to bring lunch?" David asked, holding his tummy. "I'm hungry mum!"
"Why don't you go wash your hands in the meantime? Then you can have some carrots to munch on," Helen instructed her son without looking, while taking carrots and tomatoes out of the refrigerator.
"Can I help you with anything, Helen?" Harry asked, after he saw David run to the bathroom.
They worked on chopping vegetables for a couple of minutes in companionable silence until they both heard a crack in the garden and Harry slipped his wand from the pocket of his jeans. Always better to be careful.
It was Hermione, she came in with her hands full and a big smile on her face.
"Sorry, sorry, I know I took forever to get food but I stopped at the multimedia store and I had to buy a couple of things to experiment on and time ran out on me. Food is still warm though." Hermione said, out of breath. She heard footsteps and then she was tackled to the ground by a very excited little brother. Luckily Harry had already taken all the shopping bags or they would have probably lost their lunch to the floor.
"Hey munchkin, long time no see. Have you grown since I've seen you last?" Hermione said, measuring David with her hand.
"Silly Minnie, you saw me yesterday. I can't be taller in one day" David giggled.
"Well, you were so enthusiastic in your greetings that I thought maybe I've been gone a month and I didn't notice," she said, tickling his tummy, making him laugh even harder.
Hermione stood up with a hand from Harry and greeted her mum with a hug. "Shall we eat and then head to Kookaburra Lane?"
They all agreed and went to look into the bags of food. Hermione had chosen to buy a couple of burgers and a family pack of nuggets with milkshakes on the side.
"I didn't really know what everyone liked; Harry, I bought a Big Mac for you and a banana milkshake.
Mum for you a Crispy Chicken burger and a cherry milkshake.
And for David and I, chicken nuggets with chocolate milkshakes, and fries for everyone. I hope you like chocolate, otherwise I will have to drink them both…" The last was addressed to her little brother.
"I love chocolate Minnie, and I like to dip the nuggets in the milkshake, they are yummy."
"Really? I used to do the same with the fries, I liked them better with milkshakes than ketchup. I thought I was the only one!" Hermione said, while dipping a french fry in her milkshake.
"Weird food combinations? I like peanut butter and pickle sandwiches." This was Harry, who was happily chomping away at his giant burger. They all then turned to Helen.
"Weeeell, I really like mayo on watermelon. It used to drive your dad crazy, it made him nauseous to even think about it." Helen said, a wistful look in her eyes.
Harry decided to change the subject, "what did you buy at the multimedia store 'Mione? I haven't been to one in ages. There used to be one in Little Whinging close to the school."
Hermione swallowed her bite and stood up from the table, coming back with a lot of boxes in her arms. "I bought five different mobile phones. I think I am going to go through a lot of them at the beginning, so I only chose the cheapest ones. This box is a video camera. I want to ask George and the goblins at Gringotts if it would be possible to use some runic crystals instead of a memory card.
Here is a laptop, it would be great to be able to use the internet to research or maybe we could even make our own network. I will have to study the world wide web first. Actually, first would be making everything work near magic."
Hermione was talking more to herself now than to her audience.
Harry was sniggering and Helen was trying not to giggle, while David, unfamiliar with Hermione on a quest, was looking at her with wide eyes.
"Minnie, are you alright? You look like you have just seen your action figures come to life…" he said with an awed sigh, like it would be his dream come true if that was to happen.
"Don't worry David, your sister is just in her happy place. She is in full research mode now and nothing is going to stop her until she has her answers. Trust me, you don't want to stand between Hermione and knowledge." Harry said, looking at his friend affectionately. Hermione was quite predictable in some things.
Helen stood up and started to clean the table. She stopped by Hermione, who was still muttering about things to research under her breath, and put a hand on her shoulder. "I know you will succeed in this, and I hope you send me one of your first prototypes. It would be great to be able to communicate with you while you are at school and I am sure David would be happy to talk to you about everything he does at his new school. Won't you honey?"
David was nodding enthusiastically at that. "Yes Minnie, I could tell you what I learn and the friends I make. Where do you go to school? Is it far from here?" Her little brother asked, and Hermione realised she never told David that she wouldn't be staying with them for long. She was actually hoping David and her mum would come back to the UK with her.
She looked at her mother who shook her head. "I still haven't decided anything, it's been too short of a time and so much has happened," Helen said.
"I understand mum, don't worry. I live in another country David, thousands of kilometres away from here. I go to school in a castle in Scotland. Do you know where that is?" David replied no in a sad voice.
"Do you have a map or an atlas? I can show you if you want?" Hermione continued, and when her mother said she had an atlas in the living room, they all moved there.
Hermione sat on the couch with David next to her, she had the atlas open on her lap and showed David where he lived and then took his finger and traced a line from Canberra to Scotland, to show him how far it was.
"But it's only on the other page, how can it be so far away?" David couldn't understand.
Harry tried to explain in a calm and soothing tone, "well, you know how you came here from Sidney? Can you see where Sidney is on the map?" David pointed to the right city, "it took you 3 hours by car to go this little distance. Can you imagine how long it would take to go all the way to the UK? You have to travel by plane for about 15 or 16 hours." David was trying to understand, but it was a little bit too much for him. He could only understand that his sister would be very far away and not able to come play with him when he wanted.
"But when can I see you then? Are you going to stay in sotland for the whole year?" Her little brother had tears in his eyes, tripping over the unfamiliar country, when he asked Hermione this question.
She moved him to her lap and hugged him close. "I happen to be a witch munchkin, that means that if you need me I can be here in half an hour. I can take a portkey to the ministry and then come here via floo, through the fireplace."
"Like Santa?" David asked, full of hope. "Do you know him?"
Hermione heard Harry try to cover his sniggering with a cough. "Not exactly like Santa, but it looks the same, I imagine. I don't personally know Santa but I can ask around if you want. But you know, if you were to be friends with Santa, he would probably keep his attention on you and how well you behave. I don't know how easy it is to end up on the naughty list, but do you really want to risk it?"
David was deep in thought for a half a minute, then smiled widely and said, "you can make friends with Santa and tell him all about how I am a good boy! That way I can't get on the naughty list."
"He would make a fine Slytherin," she heard Harry mutter, while her mother was trying to muffle her giggles.
"That is a clever idea you little scamp. Now, are you ready to go and find out more about magic?" At David's enthusiastic nod, they all grabbed their coats and queued in front of the fireplace.
"Alright, mum, you are going with Harry and David is coming with me, just remember to tuck in your elbows and keep your mouth shut. We are going to call out the place this time, so no worries, ok?" Hermione said, to her mother and brother.
David jumped into her arms, happy and eager for a 'new adventure'. Helen stepped next to Harry, a little more reserved, but still with an excited glint in her eyes.
"Shall we, my good sir?" Helen mock curtsied to Harry, who answered with a sweeping bow, to the delight of the little boy in the room. "We shall, my lady!" Harry said, stepping in the fireplace, which was luckily, very big.
He took some floo powder from Hermione, who ignited the logs with a spell, threw it into the fire and said clearly, 'Caiman Café'. The fire turned green to the surprise of the non-magical and Harry stepped in, holding out his hand for Helen to take. She stepped in apprehensively beside him and they were gone in a whirl of green.
David was astonished. "Wow, that is fantastic, is it like a teleporter? How come they didn't burn?" He was jumping and wriggling so much in her arms, Hermione was afraid she might drop him.
"I am going to explain it to you another day, munchkin, we have to go now. Just remember to keep your mouth closed, or you will get a mouthful of ashes," she said, tickling him.
He hugged her neck tightly when they stepped in the hearth and was surprised not to feel the heat from the flames. He opened his mouth to ask his sister why, when she put a finger on his lips and said aloud the name of their destination.
David had to keep his eyes closed because everything was rushing past so fast, but in less than a minute they were stepping out of another fireplace, completely unscathed.
"Can we do it again Minnie? I accidentally closed my eyes…" Hermione had to smile at that, he was just too cute.
"Later, little brother. We will go home the same way. Shall we have a look around here?"
Hermione joined Harry and her mum and they left the upscale café after thanking the owner for the use of his floo connection. They stepped out in a little square, quite elegant, Helen thought it looked almost Victorian.
"Where shall we go first? Not the bookstore Hermione!" Helen asked, to Harry's amusement.
"What do you think David? Is there something specific you want to see?" Hermione asked her brother, who refused to leave her arms, quite shy now that he was in a strange place, with people he didn't know.
He whispered timidly in Hermione's ear, "can we go see the magical animals? Are there magical animals?"
"Excellent choice, little brother! I see a menagerie at the other side of the square, shall we go and have a look? Do you want to come with us, or would you two prefer to go somewhere else?" Hermione asked the latter to her mum and Harry, who glanced at each other and agreed to meet Hermione and David in one hour in front of the flower shop.
"Well, it's you and me now, munchkin, let's go look at the animals."
They spent a lovely hour looking inside all the cages and tanks, Hermione explaining the difference between the magical and mundane sort of each species, helped by the young shopkeeper, who took an immediate liking to David.
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Harry and Helen were waiting for them, Harry carrying a suspicious broom shaped package in his hand.
David ran to them, recounting in detail everything they had seen, gesticulating and asking his mum if he could please, please have a kneazle kitten.
"Kneazle? Like your old Crookshanks? What happened to him?" Helen asked Hermione, then she turned to David, "give me a couple of days to decide, I promise I will think about it ok?"
David looked to his sister and then accepted his mother's offer, before asking her where she went while they were in the pet shop.
Harry smiled and stepped in front of David when Helen said, "we went and had a look in the quidditch shop. We wanted to give you the opportunity to fly on a broom, do you think you are up to it?" In the meantime, Harry unwrapped the training broom he had bought for David, whose eyes were threatening to pop out of his skull.
He nodded enthusiastically, speechless for once and he threw himself first at his mother and then at Harry, who had suspiciously shining eyes. Hermione squeezed Harry's shoulder in thanks, a lump in her throat at the scene.
"You just made his day Harry, possibly his week too. Did they tell you where you can go for a flight?"
Helen answered for him since Harry was now busy explaining to David how to handle a broom, and how it differed from a mundane sweeping broom.
"Yes, we asked and they told us there are some fields nearby for children to learn how to fly, they are apparently cushioned or something like that?" She ended on a questioning tone, looking at her daughter.
"It's a charm mum, it makes the ground soft in case of falls. I often wish there was a cushioning charm on the quidditch field at Hogwarts, it would make the game safer, but apparently it's not regulation." Hermione answered her mum, ranting a bit at the end, which made Helen smile.
Harry and David were already walking away, eager to try the training broom.
"Hurry up mum, Minnie. We are going to FLY!"
Hermione saw Harry smile at David, and hurried with her mum to reach them.
The nearest field was just five minutes away and they saw there were already a couple of children flying, with their parents waiting in the small stand at the side.
"We are going to watch you from the sides, Harry, just be careful please." Helen said, at which Harry answered with a nod and a wave; David didn't even turn his attention away from the flying children.
Helen and Hermione took a seat in the stands after getting a cup of hot chocolate.
"Are you still afraid of heights honey?" Helen asked her daughter.
"Not so much anymore, though I am still not so keen on flying on a little stick. It really is not comfortable. I have flown on a couple of creatures before, including a dragon, and I was not so afraid. Well, except for the fact we were fleeing for our lives." Hermione said.
Helen was sure she would never get used to hearing her daughter talk about fighting so callously. She still resented the magical world a little bit for not being able to protect her daughter from growing up so fast. She was still a teenager, but with the experience of a middle aged veteran.
Hermione saw her mother deep in thought so she took her hand and squeezed it, without saying anything, turning her attention to the boys on the field. Harry was showing David how to command the broom, the little boy listening attentively and nodding happily.
Mother and daughter sat in companionable silence for a while, enjoying the sight of the happiness on the flyers faces, until Hermione turned to her mother and asked, "would you show me where dad is buried one of these days? I would like to say goodbye."
"Of course pumpkin, we can go together tomorrow. I have a feeling David won't let go of that broom for at least a week, and will drag Harry here probably every day for a fly." Helen said, hugging her daughter, who giggled at the smirk on her mother's face.
"I have no doubt about it mum. Harry is crazy about flying, he would be able to fly for hours every day with no problems. He says it makes him feel free from burdens, something he didn't really get to have in the last seven years. And visiting dad tomorrow sounds nice, I wouldn't want to go without you. Thank you."
"You may be technically an adult honey, but you are still my little girl, don't ever forget that." Helen told Hermione.
Harry and David were in the air in front of them, David waving like crazy at them with one arm, the other secured around Harry's waist, who was grinning at the two women.
"Oh no, I'm afraid Harry surpassed you in the cool classification honey, look at those smiles!" Helen was so happy to see the two boys enjoying their flight and looked up when Harry called to her. "Helen, Hermione has my broomstick in her purse, would you like to go for a fly later? If I can get David off of this broom without a crowbar…"
Hermione giggled at the look on her brother's face, he looked like he just found his purpose in life.
"I think I would like to try Harry, but definitely not so high." Helen answered, it looked like fun but not very safe, then she remembered the cushioning charm and felt a thrill of excitement run down her spine. She, a middle aged, muggle woman, was going to fly on a broom. That was too crazy for words.
Hermione looked at her and smiled, "you ok mum? You don't have to go if you are not sure."
Her daughter the worrywart, Helen thought with a chuckle. "Oh yeah, it looks like terrible fun, your father would be already down on the field waiting for his turn."
"Yes, daddy was always ready for new adventures, he would have loved to be here with David and Harry." Hermione said in a nostalgic tone.
Helen hugged her daughter. They both missed John very much, and she knew Hermione felt guilty for not being there for her dad when he died. She didn't get to say a real goodbye and that fell heavily on her conscience.
"Tomorrow morning, we leave the boys to do what they want and we will go and visit your father. You need closure, and I have to tell him everything that has happened this last week."
Hermione nodded into her mother's shoulder, trying to hide her tears. She had lost too many in the last few years, she didn't really know how to cope with the loss and the survivor's guilt.
"Good plan mum. I think I will also go and ask for a mind healer tomorrow, both for me and for Harry, we need to find a healthy way to cope with all that happened." Helen agreed with that and told her daughter so.
"Shall we go down and see how the boys are doing?" Hermione asked, attempting to lift the mood.
They headed down the stands and waved to get Harry's attention. The two boys both sported huge smiles and windswept hair. They looked happy and healthy.
"What do you think David, shall we give mum a chance to try flying too?" Hermione asked her little brother. He nodded a little reluctantly, but dismounted the broom, a bit unsure on his legs.
Harry stabilised him and laughingly said "broom legs little man, you are going to get used to it, but it will take a few times."
They all chuckled seeing David walk like a drunkard. He sat down on the grass and said with a smile "definitely worth it, Harry. That was soooo cool. I wish I could show it to all my friends at the orphanage."
"That would be cool, but it is strictly forbidden. You can do it because your sister is a witch, but other children can't know about magic, or we would all be in trouble." Harry explained patiently.
I have to find out if it's possible to volunteer at an orphanage in the wizarding world, maybe I can make some children happy. Give them the chance to experience some joy. I have to ask Hermione when we are alone. Harry thought to himself.
Hermione handed him his broom and he looked at Helen, who seemed to be part terrified and part thrilled.
"Shall we?" He said, mounting the broom and stretching out his hand.
Helen mounted the broom behind and put her arms tight around his middle and then they were airborne.
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"Thank you, Harry. Stealing my son's words, that was very cool. Something I will remember forever." Hermione glanced at her mother, giggling like a schoolgirl on Harry's arm. She was still a bit unstable on her legs, but swore that flying was far better than cardio for her muscles.
"I'm feeling muscles in my legs that I didn't know still existed!" Helen said with a huge grin.
The family was walking towards the main shopping area, wanting to explore a little bit more before returning home.
After a bracing cup of hot chocolate, they went together to the apothecary, where David was going from barrel to barrel of ingredients looking between excited and disgusted. "Minnie, are those real eyes?" he asked, pointing to a vat of toads eyes.
"Yes, they really are. We used them in many potions." She explained gently.
She bought a lot of fresh ingredients she couldn't find so cheap in the UK and put them under stasis in her purse. She was eyeing the new cauldrons, trying to decide between a copper and a steel one, when Harry approached her with a serious look on his face.
"Your mother told me you were thinking of seeing a mind healer, would you mind if I came with you for a couple of sessions?"
"Of course I don't mind, I was actually already counting on you coming with me." She said, ruffling his hair. "We war veterans need to stick together and all that rot right? Anyway, I was thinking of going to the Antipodean Hospital tomorrow and ask if they had someone specialized in PTSD."
Harry nodded, trying (unsuccessfully) to straighten his hair. "Sounds good to me, maybe we should drag Ron to one when we go back home."
"Kicking and screaming?" Hermione asked cheekily, making Harry laugh.
Hermione turned to the cauldrons, mumbling to herself and Harry, "I think I am going to invest in a titanium cauldron, or maybe two, in different sizes, they are supposed to be nigh indestructible and last a lifetime. They would be good for my experiments. I still can't believe Snape left me some of his notebooks in his will…"
"You are driven and a genius, just like he was. He couldn't acknowledge it in life, but now he is free to do everything he likes. I really didn't expect him to come back as a ghost, but maybe you can take advantage of that in your coming year at Hogwarts. You can ask him about your experiments, even if he can't actually brew the potions, he can still supervise and look over your work right?" Harry mused. Snape's death and the reveal of his true allegiance had hit him hard, something else to talk about with the mind healer, he thought.
"You are right, of course. This year will certainly be interesting. I have to remember to write to Professor Flitwick and McGonagall, and ask them if they know some enchanters I could talk to about an apprenticeship." Hermione said, while carrying two titanium cauldrons to the counter.
"Shall we buy some ingredients for Ginny? Billywigs are indigenous to Australia, like the Antipodean Opaleye. They have a great selection of fresh ingredients here that are almost impossible to find at home. I think I'm going to buy some Opaleye scales too, they are used in many cosmetic potions, maybe I can experiment a little and find something to finally tame my hair." Hermione chuckled ruefully, her hair was less bushy than when she started Hogwarts, but it was still pretty much untameable. Just like its owner, Harry thought with a mental snigger.
They went from the apothecary to the stationery shop, where Hermione bought notebooks in all the colours of the rainbow, for all her different projects; a couple of fountain pens (instead of the antiquated quills they used at home) and many ink bottles.
Helen tried to steer them away from the bookshop in the hopes that Hermione wouldn't disappear for hours, and led them instead, to the Owl Emporium, where David fell in love with a Southern Boobook, a tiny owl species indigenous to Australia. Helen had to admit it was adorable and decided to purchase the little fellow for her son, who immediately agreed to taking care of his new best friend.
Harry was looking longingly at the Snowy Owls, who looked so much like his Hedwig. He missed his owl very much, but it was time to buy a new one, he was going to need it back home.
He was walking around, glancing at all the different species, when he heard some hissing, -stupid hoomans, not acknowledging my beauty. Why do they always look at those flying rats and not at me? I want to escape this tiny cage and eat a whole family of mice!-
Harry let out a snort at that and turned to where the hissing was coming from. He saw a feathered serpent in a cage, he was a little bit longer than his arm, beautiful in colours, his body all hues of blue with purple wings.
-greetings oh beautiful one, do you have a name?- Harry asked in parseltongue.
-a speaker? My life is saved, please take me away from here oh wise one. I will bond with you and protect you and your loved ones! My name is Daning, I think it means deadly snake. Will you please take me with you?- the feathered serpent asked.
Harry signalled the store clerk and told the serpent to wait a minute. He saw Hermione was still cooing over the little owl who bonded with her brother, he was still looking at them when she glanced his way and he signalled her too.
She left her mother and brother to choose a name for the tiny new family member and headed to Harry, her eyes going wide when she saw Daning in his tank.
The young shopkeeper reached them a moment later and asked what he could do for them.
"I'd like to know more about this feathered serpent, please." Harry asked.
"Harry that is an Occamy…" Hermione whispered awed, she never thought she would see one.
"Your friend is right sir, that is an Occamy, albeit a very small one. It was unfortunately born way too soon and was abandoned by it's mother. It was found in the forest when it was just a couple of days old and brought here since we have a magizoologist on staff. It's a boy, but it will probably stay this size forever if it doesn't bond to someone. Unfortunately, Occamy are classed as XXXX creatures by our Ministry, as well as the British one, and only a Parselmouth is allowed to bond with one. Occamys are difficult to control and only a serpent speaker could hope to do so." The clerk was very thorough in his explanation, and a little apologetic.
"I happen to speak parseltongue sir, the serpent told me his name was Daning and that he would bond with me if I freed him from his cage. He has quite the Napoleon complex…he thinks everyone should admire his beauty instead of staring at the owls." Harry reported with a chuckle.
"Oh Harry, only you, really…can't even step into a shop without having to rescue something…" Hermione sighed, exasperated though affectionately.
Harry just shrugged, like he wanted to say 'not my fault, this shit just happens to me', while the shopkeeper was looking at him with wide eyes, having noticed his scar.
"Harry Potter? The British hero? You are a speaker?" He asked awed. "I lost both my grandfathers in the first war against You-Know-Who, that's why my family immigrated here. Thank you for finishing that monster."
"Yes, well, no problems, I mean it was a pleasure...no I mean…" he looked to Hermione helplessly, who chuckled and answered the shopkeeper.
"He still doesn't know how to take a compliment, don't be offended sir. And we are sorry for your loss. Many lives were lost and sacrificed in the war." She said, a hand on Harry's shoulder in support. "Can you maybe tell us how we can go about purchasing this beautiful creature?" Hermione asked, cooing at Daning.
-I like this female, Speaker, we may keep her.- said serpent told Harry regally.
Very wisely Harry decided not to translate.
Hermione was still talking to the young clerk about the steps necessary to adopt the Occamy. "The best would be to do a bonding ritual between Mr Potter and.. Daning?" At Harry's nod, he continued, "and then register the familiar bond at the Ministry, which would allow you to travel with it and keep it in public on your person. I believe they have special collars or tags that create a glamour in case you want to go to the mundane side. We have a ritual circle for these occasions in the back."
"A ritual? Are they allowed here?" Hermione asked, interested.
"Yes, of course. I think that Britain is the only country that banned all sorts of rituals, even in Ireland they are allowed. Unfortunately, the British Ministry associates all kinds of rituals with Dark Magic; while most of them require a little amount of blood, there is no Dark Magic involved, just ancient ones." The shopkeeper explained patiently, seeing that Hermione was really interested and not merely judgemental.
Harry found this fascinating too, "so I only need a quick ritual with Daning's consent and he will be registered as my familiar? That's convenient, can we do it now?" He asked at the same time as Hermione asked, "Are there books I can buy about rituals?"
Helen, who had joined them together with David and the newly named Bobo, heard the last question her daughter asked and sighed, before muttering under her breath, "great, there goes my effort to keep her out of the bookshop! She will be there all night…"
"Hey, I heard that!" Hermione exclaimed, a little offended.
Harry and David sniggered, and even the shopkeeper looked mildly amused by the affronted look on her face. "You were meant too, my little bookworm." Helen bantered, affectionately.
"Minnie look, Bobo wants to stay sitting on my shoulder." David said, nudging the little owl with his chin.
"I see that little brother, you have a way with animals. First the little kittens and krups at the menagerie, and now this little owl. Just promise to take good care of him, ok?" Hermione ruffled David's hair, making Bobo screech in irritation.
"I promise Minnie. Mum, can Bobo and I go look at the parrots in the window?" At his mother's nod, he walked carefully away, the little owl bobbing on his shoulder.
Hermione turned to her mother, "so it's going to be an owl and not a kitten… It's actually a good choice, owls are easier to train and they are pretty independent, even though they can be really affectionate," she said.
Harry interrupted them and asked Hermione if she wanted to assist with the ritual, to which she answered with a resounding YES and a hug for her best friend.
They headed to the back courtyard, where on the ground, there was visible a small runic circle.
Hermione fished her camera from her purse and asked the shopkeeper if she could take a couple of photos, seeing that she had never encountered one before.
With his consent, she took a couple of shots, making sure the runes were good and visible.
The shopkeeper then put the tank with the Occamy in the center of the circle and indicated to Harry to stand beside the tank. He took a copper bowl and a short athame from a wooden box in the corner and gave them to Harry.
"You have to add a drop of your blood and one drop of the occamy's blood to this potion, swirl them together in the bowl and say the incantation you see on this paper," the clerk explained, handing Harry a clear potion and a piece of paper.
Harry read the incantation under his breath a couple of times, nodded to Hermione and stepped into the circle.
-I have to take a drop of your blood to perform the bonding ritual, do you consent?- he asked Daning, who thought about it for a moment and then nodded his head, -you can take blood from my tail, speaker.-
Harry did so, letting a drop of blood fall into the bowl from Daning's tail and then one from his pinkie. He vanished the rest of the blood from the blade before putting it into his pocket.
He swirled the blood with the potion twice in the bowl until it turned the same colour purple of Daning's feathers. Harry then took a bracing breath before chanting, "Crea una unione fra le nostre anime, fa di noi una famiglia cosí che io possa sempre proteggerlo."
Hermione was mesmerized. She heard Harry read the incantation and saw a flash of gold come from the potion, then everything went white for a second, and when she could see again, Daning was out of his cage and draped around Harry's shoulders. He was also much bigger than before, almost two meters long.
"Would you look at that, the Occamy used the magic from the bond to mend his stunted growth," she heard the shopkeeper whisper.
Harry looked at her and asked "Shall we head to the Ministry then? I have a new familiar to register. It's such a good feeling 'Mione, I feel like I am finally over Hedwig's death. I only regret not having such a bond with her, maybe I could have prevented her death."
"She died protecting you. You shouldn't feel guilty about it, just honour her choice by living life to the fullest. Wallowing in your grief would be kind of an offence to her sacrifice, don't you think so?" Hermione said calmly, to which Harry nodded with suspiciously glistening eyes.
Daning rubbed his head against Harry's cheek, trying to comfort him.
"You are right as always, 'Mione. Let's go and make this bonding official, ok?"
They headed back into the shop and joined Helen and David at the window.
"Do you mind if we quickly head to the Ministry? I just need to register Daning at the Magical Creatures Department and then we can go have dinner somewhere. My treat." Harry asked, mainly towards Helen.
"Of course, Harry. I can go with you if you like, while those two go to the bookstore. I bet we will be finished way before Hermione chooses her first pile of books." Helen said jokingly.
Very maturely, Hermione stuck out her tongue at her mother, making David giggle.
"I am going to go pay and then we can go, Helen. Have you already bought everything you need for Bobo?" Harry asked, while rummaging in his pocket for his coin purse.
"Yes, that nice girl at the counter offered to shrink everything for us, so it's all in my pockets."
Harry went and paid the equivalent to £2500 for Daning, which he found a very reasonable price for such a rare and majestic beast.
-Shall I make myself smaller to avoid being chased and killed my friend?- Daning asked Harry.
-You can do that? Cool- Harry said when he felt the Occamy shrink until he was as big as a bangle around his wrist. -And you can call me Harry.-
"Crea una unione fra le nostre anime, fa di noi una famiglia cosí che io possa sempre proteggerlo."
It's italian and means "Create a bond within our souls, make us a family so that I can protect him forever." Not very imaginative, I know, but I had a blank, sorry.
As always please read and review.
love Elena