Well, Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you're having a good holiday despite the situation.

Well, this chapter is again too large, so I'm going to split in two parts again. However, as there is not a good point to break it, I'll publish the second part just in a few hours. But I want to ask you that, despite that, you review both parts independently. That would be a wonderful Christmas present for me!

Chapter 24 (I)

To the Other Side of the World

"So, everything's arranged, then?" asked Hermione. She and Ron were sitting on the couch at The Burrow just before dinner, and Ron's dad was in front of them, explaining the arrangements he had made for their travel to Australia.

It had been a week and a half since he and Hermione had got the Grangers' house ready, and things had calmed down a lot in the Wizarding world. More Death Eaters and other scum had been trapped, and the ones that hadn't were too preoccupied with trying to escape the Ministry to plan any sort of revenge. So, a couple of days ago, Hermione had talked to Ron's dad about the journey to Australia, and he had promised to get it ready with the Department of Magical Transportation and the Department of International Magical Cooperation.

"Yes, it is. Your portkey is scheduled to activate tomorrow, at thirty-three minutes past eight. Here are your permissions," he said, handing her two little, bright pieces of parchment. "You need to present them to the officials in charge of the International Portkey Office." Hermione grabbed them and nodded.

"Couldn't it be later?" protested Ron, who had quickly accustomed to have lie ins after months of getting up at dawn.

"It's around ten hours later in Australia, Ron. You can't arrive at the Australian Ministry at night, unless it's an emergency. When you get there it'll be half past six in the evening."

"Oh, right," he said, nodding.

"There'll be a high dignitary from the Australian Ministry waiting for you, that will aid you in anything you need. The Ministry premises are in Canberra, but they'll put you in a wizarding hotel in Sydney. Then, once you are ready to come back, you only have to contact this official and they'll arrange your portkey."

"And what about the costs?" asked Hermione, worried. "I took a lot of Muggle money, so I can go to Gringotts and —"

Ron's dad lifted a hand to silence her. "There's no need for that. The Ministry will arrange your portkeys for free, and the Australian Ministry has insisted they'll cover the costs of your stay. You'll have to pay for food and such, but otherwise, you needn't worry."

"Thank you very much," said Hermione, very grateful.

Ron's dad smiled. "You're welcome, Hermione."

"All settled, then?" asked Ron's mum, coming from the kitchen. When his dad nodded, she added, "Then come have dinner, it's ready."

Only Percy, among all of Ron's brothers, was still staying at The Burrow, upon his mother insistence. Ron knew Percy hated feeling useless, yet he was relenting to please their mother, probably still feeling guilty after how he had behaved the past three years. This meant that Harry had now his own room, and so Ron and Hermione could sleep together. They weren't doing this openly, as Hermione only came to his room once everyone was in bed, and always went back to Ginny's before dawn. Ron suspected that his mother knew, though, but she seemed to have chosen to pretend to be blind to this arrangement. Maybe it was because she assumed that, once in Australia, they were going to stay in the same room, so there was no point in trying to get them to sleep apart. Ron also suspected it had to do with the war; he doubted she would have been so accommodating a year before. In any case, he wasn't going to complain. Besides, this way he didn't need to know it Ginny and Harry did the same. He hadn't asked and certainly wasn't going to.

The family had dinner together, talking about what they knew of Australia and how much fun Ron and Hermione would get there and the things they could visit. Of course, talking about fun had Ron thinking about the fun he really wanted to have with his girlfriend while they were alone. It was true that, as they were sleeping together in his room, they had sex often, but, once they were in that hotel room …

"Don't know what you're thinking about, but you'd better change your face or your mother is going to forbid you from going," Harry muttered to him, breaking his horny thoughts. Ron felt his ears turn pink and tried to focus on his food, ignoring Harry's smirk.

After dinner, Harry asked him to play chess, as they weren't going to see each other for at least a couple of weeks.

"You'll miss being beaten, then?" Ron asked smugly as they set the board.

"I might surprise you," replied Harry.

Ron scoffed. "Yeah, sure. I could beat you even drunk, Mate."

"Ron, don't brag," Hermione scolded him. She was sitting next to Ginny, both talking about Ginny and Harry's plans while they were gone, plans that included Teddy as the main part. Harry had really taken his role as godfather seriously, and, when Ron had commented on this one day that Andromeda was visiting, he had admitted he wanted Teddy to have with him what he had missed due to Sirius having been in Azkaban.

"I just want to be there for him, Ron," he had declared.

"I know, Mate. You already are. He's lucky to have you."

Knowing they were going to miss each other, it was nearly midnight when the four friends finally called it a night and went to bed.

"Have you packed everything?" asked Hermione a bit later, when she walked into his room, already in her light nightdress.

"Yes, Hermione," he said, somewhat exasperated. "You've already asked me twice."

"I want to make sure," she said defensively. "I don't want you to protest for running out of clean pants."

"Well, if that's the case I'd go without them. Easy access," he said with a smirk, taking her into his arms and kissing her. "You could go without knickers as well," he added, caressing her bum over her clothes.

"You like my knickers."

"Well, yeah, but just because I love what's under them," he said. "So — are you wearing any? 'Cause I'd love to find out …" he trailed off, his hands sliding down her thighs.

Hermione, however, was not in the mood.

"Not today, Ron. It's late. We'll have time for this during the journey."

"Okay," he accepted, and pecked her lips. They got under the covers and, once they were comfortable and facing each other, he asked her, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," she told him. The same answer she had given Harry when he had asked her how she felt about searching for her parents.

"Hermione, it's me."

She looked down, fidgeting a bit with her hands. "Okay, I'm a bit nervous," she admitted.

"They're fine, Love. We'd know if they weren't."

"I know, and that's what my logic tells me, but — I can't help being a bit afraid. What if we made a mistake with the charm, or —?"

"We didn't. Remember that your house is still under it."

"Right," she said, sounding as if she really wanted to convince herself. "I'm just being irrational. Sorry."

"You haven't got to be sorry. I know what you're feeling, I felt the same way when we were on the run." He took her in his arms, laying her head on his chest while he lay on his back. "Let's sleep, yeah? In a couple of days we'll be having dinner with them."

She nodded against his chest and he turned the lights off.

"Ron?" she said after a minute.

"Yeah?"

"I really love you."

Ron smiled and conveyed the same message by putting a kiss on the top of her head.

With a smile on his lips, he closed his eyes and laid his head contentedly on the pillow. And what felt like a second later, he was being jolted awake by Hermione shaking him.

"'Ermione?"

"Ron, it's half past seven. Get up!"

"Half past —?" he groaned. "Hermione, it's too early …"

"No, it isn't, get up!" she repeated, already looking as if she had an exam today.

With another groan of displeasure, he made an effort to throw his legs off the bed. Hermione was putting on a pair of jeans, giving him a good view of her naked back and her ass as she wiggled her hips, partially hidden under her black panties, but, at this hour in the morning that was not enough to compensate him for being pulled out of his comfortable, warm bed.

They dressed, with Hermione issuing orders and instructions for him so they didn't leave anything behind. Ron, who was still half-asleep, simply followed them, as it was much easier than to argue.

It was ten minutes to eight when they walked into the kitchen, with all their luggage safely stored in Hermione's beaded bag. Ron's mum was already in there, preparing breakfast.

"You are going to lose the portkey!" she shouted at them, though her eyes were fixed on him. "Come on, tuck in quickly!"

"Mum, we've got plenty of time …"

"I've heard that same line every year on the first of September, young man, and we always had to hurry in the end, so don't argue with me and eat!"

Deciding that eight in the morning was simply too early to get into arguments with the two most important women of his life, Ron used the same tactic and simply did as told.

They were practically finishing when, twenty minutes later, Harry and Ginny came down, still in their pyjamas and, in Harry's case, with his hair sticking out in all directions.

"What are you doing up so early?" asked Hermione before gulping down the rest of her juice.

"We wanted to wish you a good travel," explained Harry, approaching the table and taking a piece of toast as he yawned.

"Harry, we said goodbye last night, there was no need." Harry just shrugged, munching on the toast.

"Do you want to have breakfast now, then, dear?" asked Ron's mum.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs Weasley."

"Ron, have you finished?" asked Hermione, checking her watch and getting up. "Our portkey leaves in twenty minutes."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm done," he said tiredly, glancing at Harry, who smirked at him. He got up, and, a moment later, he was surrounded by his mother's arms as she hugged him tightly.

"Be careful, all right?" she asked, cupping his cheeks. "And take care of one another."

"Of course, Mum. Don't worry."

Then she took Hermione into another hug, wishing her luck as well before kissing her forehead. Harry patted Ron on the shoulder and then hugged Hermione.

"If you need something …" he trailed off when he let her go. She nodded gratefully.

Ginny gave Ron a brief hug as well, and, before pulling away, she whispered into his ear. "Don't forget to take precautions, I'm too young to be an aunt."

"Shut up!" he hissed, his ears heating.

"Just saying," she said with a smirk. Harry and Hermione looked at them curiously, but neither he nor Ginny said anything. Then, once Ginny had embraced Hermione as well, they took the Floo to the Ministry.

It was still early, but Ron and Hermione had to deal with the stares of many workers present at the Atrium. Feeling exposed and a bit uncomfortable, they hurried to the lifts, and, luckily, they managed to grab an empty one. When they got out in the Department of Magical Transports, they found themselves face to face with Ron's dad.

"Ah, here you are! Come on, everything's ready," he said, nodding towards a long corridor.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I wanted to see you off, didn't I? Make sure you were all right and everything."

"Dad, we know how to take a portkey."

Four minutes later, they were in the waiting room for International Portkey Travel. There were other wizards and witches here, waiting to take portkeys as well, though not many of them. The room, which he had seen a couple of times — when they had gone to Egypt and in a visit to Charlie in Romania — was semi-circular, with twelve doors on the curved wall and the entrance in the straight one. Each of them had a display that showed the destiny and time for the next portkey, and Ron quickly saw that theirs was in room 7.

"This looks similar to Muggle airports," said Hermione. Ron, who had got a glimpse of Heathrow when they had accompanied Hermione's parents the year before, didn't get the similarities. Heathrow seemed bigger than the entire Ministry of Magic building.

He checked his watch: 8:24. He could have slept another five minutes and they would still be on time …

"Do you have everything?" Ron's dad asked them. "The permissions and everything?"

Hermione took them out of her pocket. They approached a desk where a wizard and a witch were revising some books. They looked up.

"good morning, Arthur," said the witch.

"Hi, Gwenda. I came with my son and his girlfriend Hermione —"

"To Canberra, Australia. Yes," the witch cut in. "You just present the permission to the door and it'll open. Then you hand them to the Portkey operator in there," she explained.

"Thank you," said Hermione.

They followed the instructions and found themselves in a square room. There was a man in yellow robes with the seal of the Department of Magical Transportation on them, sitting on a chair and reading a book. Apart from that, the room contained just a table with a stone on top of it.

The man looked up when they entered and put the book aside. "Mr Weasley and Mrs Granger, right?" he asked.

Hermione nodded, and handed him the permissions. He checked them and nodded. "All right, just five minutes."

Ron and Hermione turned to his father, who put his hands on their shoulders. "Well, have a good travel, have fun and take care. Hermione, dear, give your parents our love, okay?"

"I will, Mr Weasley. Thank you for everything."

Ron's dad smiled at them and then left the room.

"Have you two used portkeys before?" asked the wizard.

"Yeah," nodded Ron.

"To the other side of the world?"

"Just across England," said Hermione.

"To Egypt and Romania," answered Ron.

"Well, there's a long distance to Canberra, so it'll take a little longer than you may be accustomed to. When you land, you'll feel quite disoriented and, most surely, a bit sick, but don't worry, they'll give you a potion that helps with the symptoms."

"Okay," said Ron.

On the table, the portkey flashed a yellow light.

"Two minutes," said the operator. "You can touch it now."

They did, feeling a bit nervous. After what seemed like a long time, the portkey began to pulsate with a bluish glow.

"Thirty seconds," the man announced. "Have a good stay. And — well, glad to have met you two," he added.

"Thank you," said Hermione. Ron was going to say something when he felt a pull on the bottom of his stomach and, next thing he knew, he was being dragged through what could only be described as a very narrow pipe where all the air had turned to stone. He felt himself suffocating a bit as the seconds passed while the world spun quicker and quicker and then, at last, he landed on his back on what felt like a soft mattress.

He took a much needed breathe and tried to search for Hermione, though his head was still spinning.

"Let me help you," said someone, grabbing his hand. Ron felt a bit unsafe, letting a stranger grab him when he felt so weak and defenceless, yet he let them pull him to his feet. He blinked a few times and found himself face to face with a kind-looking woman who was offering him a glass filled with a purple liquid. She was smiling.

"Drink this."

"Hermione …?" he asked groggily.

"Ron …?"

"Drink this," the woman insisted.

Ron managed to grab the glass and gulp it down. At once, the sickness vanished and he felt as good as before taking the portkey. Now he was able to take in his surroundings, so he looked around. The same witch that had given him the potion was giving another glass to Hermione, who, besides looking a bit dizzy, seemed to be okay. They had landed in a room similar to the one from where they had departed, though the floor was padded with something soft, apparently so portkey travellers wouldn't get hurt upon arriving. He had to admit that was a good idea.

"Better?" the witch, a woman in her mid-twenties with long, straight brown hair and a round, kind face, asked Hermione.

"Yes, thank you."

"I'm Amanda Clingworth, and it's my pleasure to welcome you to Magical Australia. It's a real honour to meet you," she said, giving them a bright, wide smile.

"You know who we are, then?" asked Ron.

"Of course I do. I doubt there's someone in the world who doesn't at this point."

"Oh," said Ron, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He knew they were famous in Britain, and Harry probably internationally, but he hadn't expected him and Hermione to be recognised as well so far away from home.

"Anyway," Amanda continued, "I work for the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Australian Ministry, and I'm in charge of helping you with anything you need. Any problem or concern you have; you can contact me."

"Thank you very much," said Hermione.

"Your Ministry has informed us that you're here to find your parents, who moved here when the war started," Amanda said, looking at Hermione. "Muggle dentists, right?"

Hermione nodded.

"We can search for them if you want, and you can take a day to rest an adapt to our time zone."

"That's very kind of you, but there's no need. I took measures to be able to find them easily once here."

"Okay," said Amanda, nodding. "Follow me, then. We'll Floo to your hotel in Sydney and get you settled. As you probably know, our main offices are here in Canberra, but we've got delegations in both Sydney and Melbourne," she explained as they exited the room. As they did, Ron couldn't help but look around. The Australian Ministry looked much more modern than the British one. Instead of in an underground building, they seemed to be in a very large dome made of glass, with little buildings under it as if it were a small town. Through the dome, Ron could see the exterior. It was already night here, and they could see the lights of the city. The Ministry seemed to be in the outskirts.

"This is amazing," commented Hermione, looking around in awe.

"Thank you," said Amanda, pleased. "The Australian Ministry is less than a hundred years old, so its architecture is much more modern than those in Europe. The founders didn't like the idea of underground premises, either, so they decided to build this," she told them, pointing to the dome.

"Won't it be too hot? In the summer I mean," asked Hermione with interest.

"It would, but the dome is enchanted to regulate the temperature. When it's too hot, it lets the light come through but not the heat. Now — this way."

There were few people left at the Ministry at that hour. Ron saw some wizards that were clearly security guards, and just a handful of employees talking and walking from here to there. Amanda conduced them to a zone that looked like a town square, with a few fountains, banks and a canteen, just in front of large glass doors that looked like the main entrance to the building. Facing the wall of the dome, on the other side of the square, was another wall with a series of rectangular holes big enough for a tall person to get into them carved on it. Amanda led them to the first one. "Sydney Harbour Wizarding Resort!" she yelled. At once, the hole glowed with a greenish light, and Amanda motioned for them to step into. Ron went first, and realised it was the Australian version of the Floo network. A moment later, he stepped out in the lobby of what seemed like a rather luxurious building. A tall, middle-aged wizard in pristine blue robes welcomed him immediately, and Ron felt a bit out of place in his faded jeans and jumper.

"Welcome to the Sydney Harbour Wizarding Resort, Sir. Have you got a reservation? Or do you need to register? You can do either at that desk," he said, pointing to the other side of the room, where a wizard in equally elegant robes was attending a witch dressed in expensive clothes.

"I —" started Ron, not knowing what to say. He was saved from having to give any explanations, though, when Hermione appeared just behind him.

"You are Mr Weasley and Ms Granger," the wizard realised. "Oh, it's such an honour!"

"Er — thank you," said Hermione awkwardly.

Amanda stepped out of the wall a moment later and, saying 'good evening' to the man, whom she obviously knew, led them to the reception. The receptionist had finished talking to the witch and turned to face her.

"Good evening, Ms Clingworth."

"Good evening, Thomas. Here are the two guests from Britain for whom I had made a pre-reservation."

"Oh, yes, yes," he said eagerly, grinning at them. "Welcome to Australia. As Ms Clingworth has just stated, we've made pre-arrangements for you. You only have to choose whether you want one room or two."

"The Australian Ministry will cover the costs in any way," Amanda quickly explained.

"One room will be fine," said Hermione.

The man nodded and waved his wand, Conjuring a parchment. "Sign this, please," he asked, pushing it towards them across the counter.

They did, and the man gave each of them a little, golden key not much different from the Gringotts ones. It had a key-chain attached with the number 804 on it.

"Well, my job is done for the day," said Amanda. She put her hand in one of her pockets and took out what looked like a coin, but with the emblem of the Australian Ministry, and gave it to Hermione. "You can contact me at any time with this. Just call my name into it, and I'll meet you wherever you are."

"Thank you for everything," said Hermione. "You've been beyond welcoming."

"As I said, it's an honour. Now, I advise you to rest to get acclimated to our time zone," she said. "Ah, and enjoy the views!" she added as an afterthought before Disapparating.

"You can order anything for dinner, or you can eat in our restaurant, if you'd rather," added Thomas the receptionist. "There is a book in the room about the hotel and all the services we offer."

Hermione nodded.

"Your rooms are on the eighth floor, just below the rooftop terrace, which I encourage you to visit. Milton —" he pointed towards the man that had greeted them "— can accompany you to your room if you need."

"That won't be necessary, thanks," said Hermione. "If you just tell us where the lifts are —"

"Right there," Thomas said, pointing to three doors ten yards away. Ron and Hermione thanked him and moved towards the lifts. On their way, Ron looked around and saw that the hotel lobby had walls of glass as well. He caught a glimpse of some trees outside and the city lights in the distance. He wondered if they were in the outskirts of the city, just like the Ministry.

"Eighth floor," said Hermione once they entered the lift. At once, the lift began to move.

"What do you think Amanda meant by 'enjoy the views'?" Ron asked.

Hermione shrugged. "I suppose the hotel is next to the sea," she said as the lift stopped. The doors opened again, letting them see a long, well-lit corridor with a carpeted floor.

"This looks much nicer that the Leaky Cauldron," commented Ron as they searched for their room.

"There are better Wizarding hotels than the Leaky Cauldron in London," said Hermione. "But you're right. This one seems to have influences from Muggle hotels." She stopped in front of a door marked with the number 804. "It's here."

There was no keyhole in the door, but the moment Hermione touched the wood with the key, the door opened, revealing a large room designed as a sitting area. It had what looked like an expensive couch, three armchairs, a coffee table and even a TV. To the right, there was an open door that led to the bedroom, which, from their point of view, appeared to be quite large as well. But the most awesome feature of the suite were the floor-to-ceiling windows that separated them from the exterior. Both Ron and Hermione gasped at the incredible night view of the city on the other side of the sea. Ron approached it and fixed his eyes on the building of the Opera, which was just in front of them. It looked even more impressive than in the photos Hermione had showed him. Then he looked down and saw a well-lit garden outside the hotel walls, and then, the water.

"Fuck, Hermione … look at this."

"Oh, Ron, it's so beautiful!" she exclaimed excitedly. "This is amazing!"

"Yeah."

"That's the Harbour Bridge," she commented, pointing to a large metal structure to their right. "It seems that we are in the middle of the harbour, but it can't be …"

Frowning, she looked around. Ron watched her, wondering what she was searching for, until she spotted a book on top of a desk placed against the wall opposite the bedroom. She took it and examined it, turning a few pages.

"This is incredible!" she said after a couple of minutes, excitement evident on her face. "The hotel is on a little island in the middle of the harbour, Ron! An island I didn't know about because it's invisible to Muggles! It says here that it was built just nine years ago as part of a Ministry program to increase tourism. This in itself is amazing, as very few Wizarding countries care much about tourism, despite its growing importance in the economy of Muggle countries." Ron couldn't help but smile at the way she absorbed new information with such delight. She really loved learning, his Hermione.

"And what about the boats?" Ron said, glancing at the water. At this hour there were just a few, but he could imagine during daylight there would be many more.

"According to this, the charms in the island compel Muggles to move away from where it is. But there are watchers that make sure no one crashes against it in case of accident or malfunctioning."

"So we're seeing a view of the city no Muggle can see?" asked Ron, turning back towards the window.

"It seems so," she nodded, approaching him again and taking in the view. "I'm so excited to explore it, tomorrow can't come soon enough." Then she added, with a hint of longing, "I hope Mum and Dad enjoyed it here."

"I'm sure they did," said Ron, grabbing her hand, though he wasn't so sure. They probably had spent the last nine months being worried sick about her.

"We should unpack, then we can go down for dinner, if you want. I'm not very hungry, as we've had breakfast only one hour ago, but it will be too late otherwise."

"Yeah. But we only unpack part of our things, right? We keep the essentials in the beaded bag with us."

"Yes, as we talked," confirmed Hermione. Despite how unlikely it was that a Death Eater could find them here, they simply weren't ready to not be prepared for a quick escape.

They went to the bedroom, which contained what looked like a very comfortable king-sized bed. Ron slid his hand over the duvet, his mind already imagining all the dirty things he'd like to do to Hermione on it, and then moved to the bathroom, which was adjacent to the bedroom and was, as everything in the suite, large and luxurious.

"They've got a hot tub!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "And it's rather big!"

"I had never seen a bathtub like this," commented Ron, observing it. "Why is it full of holes?"

"When it's turned on, a stream of air comes out of every hole, creating bubbles and a massaging effect. It's really pleasant and very relaxing. We've got to try it, Ron! You'll love it!"

"As long as we can try it together …"

Hermione grinned at him. "Oh, definitely."

Ron grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against him, the soft mounds of her breasts pressing against his chest. "Having improper thoughts about me, Ms Granger?"

"Maybe," she said coyly.

"Good, 'cause I can assure you I'm having really, really naughty ideas about you and your sinful body."

Hermione bit her bottom lip seductively, and then they kissed. Passionately yet with some restraint, knowing they were not going to do anything right now but promising the other lots and lots of pleasure later.

His cock, however, didn't seem to catch the idea of 'later' and had risen for the occasion, pressing insistently against his trousers and, consequentially, against her.

"Someone's happy," she commented jokingly before pulling on his bottom lip with her teeth teasingly.

"I always am, when you kiss me like that."

"You can't go like that to dinner, you know."

"It'll go down. Eventually."

Hermione looked into his eyes, her expression indicating that she was considering something. Then, suddenly, she grabbed his hand and dragged him to the room. Before Ron could ask what was going on, she turned them round so his back was towards the bed and her hands went to the button of his trousers, opening them and lowering the zip.

"Hermione?"

"I know a way to speed up the process," she said simply. She pulled his hard dick from under his pants and then pushed him onto the bed, kneeling on the soft carpet that surrounded it, and situating herself between his legs. "Unless you tell me you don't want me to suck your cock …"

"Believe, me, Hermione, those words will never, ever, come out of my mouth!"

Giving him a wide grin, she caressed his thighs over his trousers and then, without preamble, engulfed his shaft, taking half of it in one go.

"Fuck, Hermione, yeah!"

Hermione hummed around him and began to suck in earnest. It was obvious she didn't want to tease or excite him, but to make him cum quickly. That meant he didn't have to restrain himself, which was perfectly fine with him.

She swallowed more of his hard pole and sucked hard when retreating, sending shivers of delicious pleasure throughout Ron's horny body. He lay on his back and put a hand on her head, caressing her curls while she devoted herself to his cock. Part of him wanted to close his eyes to enjoy the sensations, but he wanted to see Hermione's face bobbing on his dick, it was such an arousing image that it was hard to pass up. So he watched her as she sucked, taking more and more of his prick, her eyes seeking his. The lust in them and the expression of pure delight on her face, as if his cock were the most delicious thing in the world and his cum the ultimate prize, quickly drove him towards the edge.

"Merlin, Hermione, you're so good … Shit, keep sucking … Keep sucking …"

Hermione moaned around him and then used her hands to pull her trousers and boxers a bit more down his legs. Ron lifted his bum to help her, though he didn't know what her intentions were. He found out a moment later, when she began to fondle his bollocks in the exact way in which he liked, making him moan.

"Fuck …"

Hermione, clearly excited by Ron's pleasure, sucked faster, taking even more. His cock entered her tight throat and Ron let out a loud groan, barely containing his desire to fuck her mouth deep and hard.

Hermione started a very fast pace that lasted half a minute and then released him, using her hand to keep pleasuring him. "Mmmh, your cock is really tasty, Ron. Now be a good boyfriend and cum for me. Show me how much you like what I'm doing to you by ejaculating into my mouth."

"Holy fuck …" he muttered, his bollocks tightening as his desire concentrated, ready to snap. "Take it back into your mouth, Hermione … Fuck, keep going …"

With a sultry smile, Hermione swallowed his cock again, taking it deep from the beginning and started the final assault to his senses. He couldn't help but buck his hips, thrusting a bit upwards when she descended, so she deepthroated him every time.

The band holding his climax snapped and his cock twitched, ready to fire. "Hermione, cumming!" he warned her as his first spurt flew from his tip. Hermione just took him deeper, sucking as hard as he could while he came and came and she swallowed dutifully, gulping it all down greedily.

He didn't know how the idea came to him, as his brain had shut down, but, as he was finishing and she kept trying to drain him, he blurted out, "'Till the last drop, babe …"

Hermione almost choked on his cock, and she pulled away, coughing, stains of cum on her lips and some dribbling down her chin.

"Ro—oon!" she protested, yet he could see that the cause of the coughs was that she was trying not to laugh.

"Sorry, couldn't help it," he said with a grin, feeling utterly satisfied.

"That's how you thank me for an amazing blowjob?" she scolded. "You're not watching another porn film ever!"

Ron let out a chuckle, and then realised there were a couple of drops and some strands of cum from when she had spluttered running down his softening prick. He grabbed it by the base with two fingers and shook it at her. "There're some left, sweetie."

Hermione's eyes went to his dick. She looked as if she wanted to tell him off, but, instead, she swallowed him again and sucked, using her tongue all around him. Ron moaned in delight. "Mmmh, oh, yes …"

When he was completely clean, she released it with a soft pop and then licked her lips.

"Done, you prat."

Ron, making an effort, sat up and, grabbing her by her arms, pulled her against him before dropping back onto the bed with her on top.

"That's a way to treat me after having giving you such an abundant appetizer?" he asked.

Hermione frowned. "You get to cum in my mouth and I must thank you?" she retorted, crossing her arms in a threatening gesture.

"You're right," he said, smiling. "It really was an amazing blowjob, Love. I'll gladly return the favour."

"Not now," she said. "But you owe me. Two orgasms," she added sternly.

"Two?"

"One as repayment, and the other for being a prat."

"Okay. I'll even add a third if you want, as interests."

"I might," she said. "Now let's unpack and go down for dinner."

"Can't," he said, still sprawled on the mattress. "You left me boneless."

"I sucked off your cum, Ron, not your bones."

"Hermione, that was really crude! I'm totally appalled!" he exclaimed in mock dismay.

"It was bound to happen, after going out with you for more than a year," she replied as she used her wand to summon their toiletries of her bag and send them to the bathroom.

With an effort, Ron got up and, after pulling his pants and trousers up, joined her. They put some of their clothes in the large wardrobe, but kept most of their things in the beaded bag. Once they were done, Ron made a stop in the bathroom. When he got out ten minutes later, Hermione was lying comfortably on the couch, completely engrossed in the book.

"Ready," he announced, causing her to look up. She closed the book, put it on the table and got up.

"I'm going to put on a light jacket," she told him. "You?"

Ron, who was wearing a jumper, shook his head. "I'm fine."

They left the room and went to the ground floor. They walked around for a bit, taking in the premises of the hotel while she explained what she had read about it in the book, which, of course, she had found fascinating. Then they found the restaurant, which, at such an hour, was almost empty, with just another couple finishing their dessert. Ron and Hermione sat on a table next to a window with a good view of the garden outside and had a light dinner. Afterwards, as they weren't still tired, Hermione suggested they get out for a bit to take a walk through the garden, and Ron agreed, so they exited the building and crossed the well-mown grass until they reached the fence that surrounded the little island. They rested their elbows on it and let the soft breeze caress their faces as they watched the city and a couple of Muggle boats that still sailed the harbour without knowing there was an invisible island in the middle of it.

"Do you think they'll be worried? My parents, I mean," asked Hermione after a bit. "It's been many months, and though we're no longer in danger they don't know about it. They have no idea I am so close."

"Of course they're worried," said Ron, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. "But they're about to get the best present ever, when we meet them tomorrow and they see we're completely fine."

Hermione nodded.

"Fancy a walk around the island?" she asked. "It has a diameter of just three hundred yards."

"Okay."

They began to walk slowly hand in hand, enjoying the sight. The garden was beautiful, illuminated by little, floating globes that emitted a soft, golden light. It was littered with banks and little terraces where guests could sit and have a drink or a snack. There also was a children's park and even a large swimming pool. The hotel itself stood in the middle, towering over them with an exterior made almost of glass.

"Looks impressive," commented Ron, looking up.

"We must go and see the cafeteria on the rooftop at some point, I saw a photo in the book and looks amazing."

"Yeah."

They continued walking, stopping on the west side, from which they could see another small island with an old Muggle fortress not far away.

"Fort Denison," said Hermione, nodding towards it. "Originally it was built to defend the harbour against naval attacks. Now it's a popular place for Muggles to visit."

"Is there anything you don't know?" he asked, teasing. "One would say you've lived here all your life."

Hermione's cheeks turned a bit pink. "Well, you know I read a lot about the city. Wanted to know the best places to visit. I didn't know about this hotel, though. The Wizarding guide I checked must be a bit outdated."

Ron gave her a smile as they resumed walking.

"This is rather romantic, don't you think?" Hermione commented after a bit, pressing herself more against his side.

"Yeah," he nodded, putting an arm around her shoulders. He really felt good, in this little island, in a city on the other side of the world, enjoying a night stroll with Hermione around a beautiful garden. In a way, it felt a bit unreal to be here, so far away from home and where everything magical looked way more modern, with a Muggle-y touch, than in England. It was another reminder of how lucky he was, not just for having survived the war, but for everything.

When they had completed circling the island, they stopped again in front of the Opera. A soft rush of wind swept the island, ruffling her hair and making a few strands fall over her face. Automatically, Ron used one finger to tuck them between her ear, and then caressed her rosy cheek with infinite tenderness. Fuck, she was so damn beautiful it almost hurt to look at her.

Hermione turned her face to gaze at him, an undecipherable expression on her face. But when she gifted him with one of those smiles she reserved just for him, her eyes brimming with love, he couldn't resist it anymore and took her lips with his own, kissing her softly, yet conveying all the love and passion he felt for her.

I hope you liked it. To my Australian readers, if there are any, I hope you forgive me for messing with Sydney, where I've never been! But I really loved the idea of a hotel just in the middle of the harbour.

Now be good and review and you'll have the next part soon!