A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. It's been an extremely busy few months with work and school. Actually work has become all I have time for. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll try to update again before Christmas break is up and I have to go back to work and school.
As always thanks to Moony's Angel, you rock.
Chapter 5: Last Day in Rome
Sirius rolled to see the early morning sunlight streaming in through the tiny crack in the drapes that hung over the large window across from his bed. He thought about what they had done so far while in Rome and what the day ahead would bring. They had one more day here before heading to Pisa tonight. They would spend a single day there before heading to Florence for several days then off to Venice.
Mother natured called, he climbed out of bed, grabbed his robe and shaving kit, and headed for the bathroom. He decided as he got up to just go ahead and start the day. Stepping out of the shower, Sirius wondered what the others might like to do today. He himself would love to take a riverboat trip. He knew Remus would go if he asked, but he wasn't sure about the younger ones. Drying his hair with a towel, he decided that was what he was going to do, even if he had to do it alone. He'd done what others had wanted since arriving in Rome so for a little while today he was going to be selfish.
Sirius entered the living area to find Hermione curled up on the sofa reading and sipping coffee. Pouring himself a cup, he sat across from her and watched. Once she had finished her paragraph she closed the book, placed it on the table next to her, and looked up smiling. "Good Morning. How are you?"
"Morning. I'm okay. How are you?" Sirius asked never taking his eyes off the young lady in front of him.
"What's on the agenda for today?" Hermione asked standing, and moving to the counter to pour more coffee.
Sirius watched her every move, studying the way she walked, moved, the way she tilted her head and the way she looked at him. "I don't know that anyone has an agenda, but I would like to take a riverboat trip to ancient city of Ostia Antica, then maybe a shorter one between Duca d'Aosta Bridge, near the Olympic Stadium and Ponte Marconi, below Trastevere before we head out."
"Sounds like fun, want some company?" The young witch asked.
Smiling to himself, "Sure, you know someone who wants to go with me?"
This made Hermione laugh, as she threw the pillow she'd been leaning on at him. "I think I can find someone. For now we need to meet Remus and the others for breakfast in the restaurant."
Standing, Sirius grabbed his wallet and proceeded to the door. "I'd forgotten. Ready?" before she could answer he gave her a gentle push and out the door they went. The couple found Remus, Alexia, and Harry already seated with juice and coffee. The pair sat down and ordered their morning drinks. "Where are the others?" Sirius asked.
"No one has seen Ron and Justine, but Ginny spilled coffee so she went to change." Harry said. A few minutes later Ginny entered and took her seat to the right of Harry.
The group ate breakfast talking about what they had done and what they would all like to do before leaving later that day. When Hermione brought up Sirius' idea about the riverboat, all seemed to agree it would be a fun way to spend part of a day. They finished their meal and were getting up to leave, when in walked Justine and Ron. Remus explained what they rest of the group had planned and welcomed Ron and Justine to join them. Justine declined saying they were going to spend their last day in Rome shopping and seeing sights they'd missed. Bidding the rest of the group farewell, they turned and made their way out of the hotel.
Remus scratched his head, "What's the use in coming to a beautiful place like Rome if you are going to spend all your time shopping or in the hotel?"
"Remus, leave them alone." Alexia said as everyone stared to see what she would say. "They are young and in love."
"Ginny and I are young and in love, but we aren't acting like those two." Harry said wrapping his arm around his future wife.
Alexia smiled at the couple, "Yes, but you are both a little more mature than the other two." Everyone laughed a little and exited the hotel.
Thirty minutes later they arrived at the Marconi Bridge. The boat would set sail at 9:15AM. Sirius had purchased their tickets from the Stazione Termini Main Rail Station down the street from the hotel. The group boarded the boat for the trip that would take them to the ancient city of Ostia Antica twenty miles outside of Rome. The trip was beautiful along the Tiber River, before docking their destination.
Sirius began to read as they group walked along the dock. "The beautifully preserved ruins of Ostia lie, in the meadows between the Tiber River and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was founded, in the 4th century BC, as a military colony to guard the river mouth against invasions. During the centuries when virtually all imports reached the Capital via the Tiber, Ostia gained prominence as the domestic landing for cargo boats. By the 2nd century AD, it had become a flourishing commercial center inhabited by almost 100,000 people, whose apartment buildings, taverns, and grocery shops are still intact."
As they walked around, they found a main street that runs for more than a mile. It was easy to imagine the local shepherds, who, for centuries sheltered their animals amongst its ruins; they are still an integral part of the tranquil Roman countryside. They saw no modern houses, roads or telephone wires, the streets where so quiet they heard only the crickets in the trees and the echoes of children playing stickball. As the group walked along Ostia's main street, the Decumanus Maximus, their feet found deep ruts left by carrucas, the four-wheeled carts used to ferry merchandise and baggage between Rome and Ostia. A fleet of two-wheeled cisia provided public transportation for commuters.
Remus and Alexia, Harry and Ginny each wondered off in opposite directions promising to be back at the boat by three. Hermione was in awe of the beauty of the land before her, and Sirius took great pleasure in watching her. She looked at him smiling. "Where did you hear about this place?"
Sitting on a nearby rock he looked off into the distance. "James told me about this place many years ago when we were at Hogwarts. He always wanted to bring Lilly and Harry here." There was sadness in his voice that tore at Hermione's heart.
"Then I'm glad we came. Maybe James couldn't bring them here, but you were able to bring Harry. I'm sure James would approve." Hermione said wrapping her arms around the older man in a comforting hug. Breaking away, she took his hand. "Show me more."
They entered the Roman Gate, and visited the Baths of Neptune. In a beautifully preserved mosaic measuring 55 feet by 36 feet, the sea god is seen riding a chariot drawn by four pawing horses. From there, the pair went to the modern outdoor cafe, and bought a guidebook that Hermione thought would enrich your tour.
They followed the book to the Ostia's amphitheater. Erected in 12 BC, it is a quiet, wonderfully preserved series of steep semicircular stone bleachers that hold 3500 spectators. They saw the tiny stage that is still intact. Behind the theater they saw the Forum of the Corporations, so called because its great rectangular portico housed the offices of sixty-four maritime companies. Hermione read, "This was where you would come if you needed to ship something to Rome, be it wheat from Spain, sugar from India, or African beasts for the Colosseum games. To find the most suitable shipper, you would examine the mosaic names and pictures still visible on the ground in front of each office. If you were pleased with the deal, you would then offer a sacrifice at the Temple of Ceres, which rises over the middle of the Forum."
As they walked they visited the ruins of Collegiate Temple, a social club for men of the poorer classes. Women were not invited. They would more likely have been next door, carrying their linens to the laundry-dye shop. Washing was done in the small terracotta tubs sunken into the brick counters; slaves, whose shaved heads distinguished them, performed this work. Sirius and Hermione talked about several things as they walked the stretch of ground. They saw the laundry that was next to the bathhouse. They followed a winding underground passage, to where servants at one time lit boilers and emptied tubs without disturbing the clients. Above this they saw the laconium, whose steam was provided by lead pipes still visible in the walls. Most Ostian buildings were heated this way, by hot air piped up from underground boilers.
Hermione read from the book as they toured building after building. Early afternoon came, both needed to find a place to eat and rest for a while. Not to far off the road they found a small café much like the ones of ancient days. Near the door was a marble counter where customers could stop for a quick drink or a cold lunch. On the wall, a fresco of salami, wine and vegetables depicts what might have been displayed on the marble shelves beneath. A large clay jar sunk into the floor held oil for frying, which would have been done in the tiny oven room next door. In the warm weather, patrons sat around the small pool on a sunny patio. Hermione chose a table at the right of the pool.
Once their order was taken, Hermione spoke. "This has been a wonderful day." She reached over and laid her hand over his.
"Thank you for coming with me." He looked off into space as he gentle let his thumb rub the back of Hermione's tiny hand. "I hope Harry is enjoying this place as much as we are. Now I see why James loved it so much." The couple sat in silence for several minutes until their food came. They talked about work, where they wanted to visit in Pisa. Both knew that would be a short visit. Pisa was on a day or two stop. The rest of their time in Italy would be spent in Florence and Venice. Their conversation was interrupted when Harry and Ginny entered the café and spotted them.
Ginny and Hermione immediately began to share notes on what they had seen and what they would like to see before the day ended. Harry watched in amusement as the girls rattled on and on. Sirius watched Hermione for a long time. Feelings began to build. Feelings he wasn't sure he wanted to have building as he sat watching and listening to her. He knew he had to get his mind off her, or he wouldn't be able to keep from letting everyone at the table see what he was feeling. Finally, he was brought out of his thoughts when Harry said, "It's tough being in love and trying to hide it isn't it?"
Sirius looked at his half eaten sandwich, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure you do," Harry laughed. "But until you're ready to admit it, your secrets safe with me."
"Thank you." Sirius said looking up and smiling as his wise godson. "You know Harry, James always wanted to bring you and your mother here. He told me about this place so many times."
"Really?" Harry asked. "Is that the reason you decided to venture here today?"
"Yes. I thought it would be nice to visit some place James loved." Sirius said his eyes displaying an emotion Harry had never seen on his godfathers face before.
"Well, thank you for including Ginny and I. It's beautiful and I see why Dad would love it. Thank you for telling me about dad wanting to bring us here. Being here means more now that I know." The two men talked about James, Lily and how they loved to travel, until Ginny spoke up and said it was time to go if they were to see anything else before meeting back up with Remus and Alexia. The foursome decided to continue their exploration together.
The visited the butcher shops, patrician homes, fish markets, inns, the Christian basilica, schools, before coming to the Marine Gate, which once stood by the harbor, is now more than a mile from the sea. Although exhausted, they mustered the strength to see the Synagogue. Built by Jews who worked the barges plying the Tiber, it lay outside the city's protective walls, even beyond the cemetery. Once they had toured the cemetery, it was time to head back to the boat. As they boarded, they spotted Remus and Alexia sitting on the upper deck. The group joined their friends. It was a quiet ride back to Rome, each lost in their own thoughts about the day.
Back at the hotel, the group found Ron and Justine. They settled in for a nice dinner, before heading back to their rooms to pack. As Sirius and Hermione entered their suite, Hermione turned to look at the man she was growing fonder and fonder of. "I'm sorry we didn't get to take the other riverboat trip. It would have been brilliant."
Sirius hugged her close, "It's okay love. I'm happy with the one we took. Thank you for sharing it with me." He then turned and went into his room to pack leaving Hermione standing in the living area staring at the closed door.
An hour later both emerged from their respective rooms packed and ready to head for Pisa. Sirius took her bag and placed it next to the door by his. He then turned back to look at the beautiful young witch who had moved to the balcony. Walking up behind her he placed his arms around her slender waist, she on instinct leaned back into him. "It's so beautiful here. I hate to leave." She then turned in his arms. "Thank you for talking me into coming, and for showing me this wondrous city."
"Your very welcome." Sirius said. Slowly he closed the space between them and placed a slow, gentle kiss on her lips. They slowly broke apart, smiled and turned to go back inside. Sirius picked up their bag and opened the door. "Ready for the next leg of this adventure?"
"You bet I am." Hermione replied. She was ready for the stop in Pisa and more importantly she was ready to see where her feeling for this handsome wizard would lead.