Taming The Beast
Chapter 21
The Honeymoon?
A/N: FuzzyDIR, you DO realize that I was being facetious about Arkansas of course?!?! And Leicester as well. It's just that the people from Florida State have gotten so much ridicule that I thought another University might be fun to insult for a change. To make up for it though, I am including a slightly famous Arkansas personality. AngelHorse - You aren't being rude, but as a challenge I'll give you a hint as to where I'm from...the answer is in your personal profile (MWAH-HAH-HAH!!!), and I pronounce the 26th letter in the alphabet as Z.
.
.
Hermione felt weightless. She was Ron. Ron was her. The newlyweds danced slowly, passionately. Soft music seemed to be playing in the background, intermixed with conversation, but for now she just wanted to immerse herself in the sensation of her husband's left arm around her waist, his right arm holding hers. The music ended, and they returned to their seats, still dizzy.
Dumbledore rose, a bit unsteady. The champagne had been good that night, as Fred and George Weasley had made a point of ensuring that it would be...refreshing. "My friends, my dear friends. I would hate to bring this party to a close, but their IS work to be done. Before you all leave though, I have two announcements that I wish to share. First, about 25 SAS soldiers will arrive in about a week so that there can be mutual training, I feel that it would be foolish to ignore the assistance Muggle knowledge can provide. Secondly, tomorrow I will be meeting with our Prime Minister and then visiting Washington to brief the Americans on what to expect, followed by a stop in Ottawa."
"Now, I was expecting the Minister of Magic to accompany me on this little foray, but it seems that he thinks that my experience with Tom Riddle would be more persuasive. And I thought to myself that if my experience with Tom Riddle primarily as a youth would be helpful, would it not follow that bringing along someone who has experience in dealing with Tom Riddle as Voldemort would be even more convincing. Better yet, why not three? So now I ask Ron and Hermione Weasley and Harry Potter if they would be willing to participate in a bit of international diplomacy."
The Golden Trio, though used to a bit of favoritism from the old headmaster, found this invitation just a bit over the top even for him. The rest of the attendees were similarily astounded
"Er...Is this supposed to be our honeymoon then, Professor?" Ron asked, eyes bulging. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"I'm fairly sure that you will will be able to keep yourselve's entertained over the next five days, so yes, you may consider it a honeymoon of sorts. Granted, it isn't Cancun...but we will be within range of Niagra Falls should you so desire..."
"What Ron means, Professor, is that we wouldn't pass this up for the world. ISN'T THAT RIGHT, MISTER GROOM?" Harry asked/declared/demanded.
"Er..........er yes. Right. Yeah. Exactly what I mean..." Ron stuttered.
"In that case, I suggest the three of you get a good night's sleep - though I suppose that suggestion might be hard to follow under the circumstances", his eyes twinkling so much that Harry was sure Dumbledore was signalling ships at sea.
.
THE NEXT DAY (Seven days before the next full moon if you're wondering)
.
Harry leapt out of his bed in the Gryffindor dormitory well-rested but excited. He'd never been outside Britain before in his life. And what exactly was he going to say??
The room of requirement had seen and conjured much over the centuries. Silk sheets were a novelty though. A weary Ron slowly awoke to the strains of "Wild Blue Yonder" being blasted over the enlarged speakers of the alarm clock his wife coyly suggested they would need. Ron slowly crawled out of. Hermione became sentient midway through the "Toast to the Host" bridge and struggled to get vertical. "Mmmmmmmm, thanks for a wonderful night Ron!" She gave her man a hug and staggered over to pour herself and Ron some coffee. After three cups, they were finally fully conscious, sort of. They got dressed and went up to meet Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was outside the Hogwarts gate, whistling softly and pacing....along with most of the remaining students at Hogwarts. "Good morning Harry!" he exclaimed as The-Boy-Who-Lived-And-Became-The-Odds-On-Favourite-To-Kick-Voldemort's-Ass arrived carring a small suitcase. "Morning sir," he said. "I assume we are going to be picked up, then?"
"Indeed Harry. Mr. Blair should be arriving at any minute and we'll take a short drive to the airport."
Hermione and Ron, caffeinated but tired appeared a few minutes later. "Have a good night, Harry?" Ron asked
"Probably not as interesting as yours, but I slept well. You two ready for this?"
"I doubt it...but we'll make do."
A black limousine soon appeared. The Prime Minister hopped out. "Albus!" he said, shaking Dumbledore's hand. "Good to see you again!" He waved. "Good Morning Hogwarts!!" He turned to the three students. "And you must be Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Heard so much about you over the past few months! Ah, well, love to stay and chat, but our flight crew is worried about a front coming down from Scandinavia, so the sooner we get airborne, the better!" He opened the door of the automobile for them, and the four guests crawled in after waving goodbye to their fellow professors and students.
"How is your first year on the job been so far, Tony?" Albus asked.
"Hmmm, well rather rapid paced, especially with this recent debacle. Thought we had been making headway with Ulster. Yanks were a big help with that...but, sigh, a shambles now. Classes suspended at the school here then?"
"Officially classes are suspended, no doubt that the professors will be tutoring students that want to improve their chances with O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. Hopefully we can get O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. taken care of this year."
"You know Albus, I still can't believe that there is a whole community of magic users in the UK that most never see. When I took over from John last year, I thought they were pulling my leg when they briefed me."
Harry finally found the confidence to speak. "I couldn't believe it myself sir. It took a bit of effort to believe Hagrid when he came by, wasn't till I found Diagon Alley that I started believing it."
Hermione spoke next; "I was delighted about getting the Owl, but like Harry I was suspicious, some huge prank"
Mr. Blair was surprised at that, happy to see teenagers willing to speak up. "So, have any of you been overseas before?"
"My family has been to the Riviera several times, Ron's has been to Egypt. Not Harry though."
"Well, Mister Potter, I think your friends will agree that you are in for a treat," Tony said as the limo pulled onto the airport tarmac next to a large private jet. "Gulfstream V, nonstop to Washington, and no waiting in the terminal." They piled aboard. The pilot, Andrew Windsor (Harry could have sworn he looked familiar) gave them a short tour and invited them to the flight deck once they reached their cruising altitude of 41,000 feet. The seats were arranged facing each other. Harry sat facing forward, Ron and Hermione naturally sat facing each other. Harry's ears perked up as he heard the whine of the engines starting. For once he was thankful that Dudley was so interested in helicopters, he picked up enough aerodynamics by osmosis to not be worried. Hermione was quietly explaining Bernoulli's Law to Ron. The plane becan to move, taxiing towards the runway. Andrew hit the intercom, allowing the radio to be heard by all....
"Inverness information Golf 0845 Temperature 05 Centigrade, wind 220 at 15, visibility 25, ceiling 5000...."
"Inverness Ground Gulfstream G-YAGB Express with information Golf, IFR to Washington National, departure to the west."
"Roger Gulfstream, cleared as filed, taxi to runway 24 contact tower at 121.15"
"Tower, Gulfstream G-YAGB Express holding at runway 24, ready for takeoff"
"Gulfstream, cleared for immediate takeoff, maintain runway heading."
The rumble of the engines built to a fierce roar and the aircraft accelerated rapidly. Ron's eyes bulged and he rapidly shifted his view between his window to Hermione, window, Hermione, window, Hermione...as Harry and Dumbledore struggled valiantly to keep a straight face. Hermione felt her hand tingling as her husband squeezed most of the blood from it. The plane lifted up, and Ron felt his heart skip a beat or five as the landing gear retracted with a thump.
The small business jets have the capability, of course, to ascend at a gentle rate as the larger commercial jets do. But any pilot knows that more fuel is consumed at lower altitude, so the more time spent lower than the cruise altitude is fuel wasted, fuel that might prove useful later in the flight. Besides, rapid ascents are so much more FUN!!!...well, for the pilot in any case...and the pilot had royal blood in his veins. Andrew pulled the yoke back steadily, and the aircraft shot through the lower atmosphere. At 10,000 feet, he lowered the nose slightly, allowing the plane to gain speed, and pushed the throttles forward. Ron gasped at seeing the Scottish coast approach and disappear under his feet. Harry was gasping himself. Whatever altitude he'd flown at with his Firebolt, there was no way it could have been, could ever be this high. The monitor on the front wall said ALTITUDE:23,763 (and climbing) OAT -41 C (and falling) SPD 350 kts DIR 295. Amazing. "Note to self," Harry said. "Install similar cool instruments on broom."
Soon the plane had leveled off at 41,000 feet, heading west by northwest. Dumbledore explained that they would head slightly north to accomodate the curve of the earth, then head south as they passed Iceland, making landfall over the tundra of Labrador in Canada. It would also be easier to enter the US through Canadian airspace than as a straight shot from the Atlantic. "The Jet Stream would be right in our face, otherwise. When we go back, it should slice about 2 hours off our time enroute. Who wants to join me up front? " Andrew asked. Ron volunteered and immediately wished his father could have seen it. "So this is what Muggles can do!" he breathed in astonishment. Andrew let him "fly" the plane briefly using the automatic pilot. "I'd let you take the yoke, but at Mach .86 it'd be too easy for you to overspeed the aircraft before either of us knew what happened." Adjusting the direction, speed, and altitude with the autopilot was a thrill of its own. The effect of the coffee, though, was beginning to wear out. He excused himself and went to the leather sofa to stretch out and sleep, waking up briefly to Hermione sliding into his arms.
"They were married last night, Tony," Dumbledore explained.
It wasn't any easier to take up in the late afternoon than it was in the morning. The envioronment was quite different though. They had begun their descent into Washington DC. Harry peered out the window and, he checked it with the Atlas he'd brought, saw the Catskill mountains. Hermione groggily called him to the other side of the jet. "Look, Harry....New York City!. They passed NewYork and Hermione recognized Philadelphia. They were soon on final approach to Washington National Airport.
They landed smoothly and after waving goodbye to His Royal Highness, were hurried onto a large helicopter, greeted by a powerful looking sergeant. The US Marines were used to seeing foreign dignitaries, and the new British Prime Minister was always a joy to have aboard, but who was that old guy in a bathrobe....and were those his kids? Oh well, orders are orders they figured. "Welcome to the United States, he said. We'll be off in just a minute. I'm Gunnery Sergeant Malfoy, and this is the Sikorsky VH-3D. Strap in, and enjoy the ride," he yelled as the huge blades slowly powered the Sikorsky into the air.
They landed on the lawn in front of a large white building Ron recognized immediately. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, District of Columbia.
Chapter 21
The Honeymoon?
A/N: FuzzyDIR, you DO realize that I was being facetious about Arkansas of course?!?! And Leicester as well. It's just that the people from Florida State have gotten so much ridicule that I thought another University might be fun to insult for a change. To make up for it though, I am including a slightly famous Arkansas personality. AngelHorse - You aren't being rude, but as a challenge I'll give you a hint as to where I'm from...the answer is in your personal profile (MWAH-HAH-HAH!!!), and I pronounce the 26th letter in the alphabet as Z.
.
.
Hermione felt weightless. She was Ron. Ron was her. The newlyweds danced slowly, passionately. Soft music seemed to be playing in the background, intermixed with conversation, but for now she just wanted to immerse herself in the sensation of her husband's left arm around her waist, his right arm holding hers. The music ended, and they returned to their seats, still dizzy.
Dumbledore rose, a bit unsteady. The champagne had been good that night, as Fred and George Weasley had made a point of ensuring that it would be...refreshing. "My friends, my dear friends. I would hate to bring this party to a close, but their IS work to be done. Before you all leave though, I have two announcements that I wish to share. First, about 25 SAS soldiers will arrive in about a week so that there can be mutual training, I feel that it would be foolish to ignore the assistance Muggle knowledge can provide. Secondly, tomorrow I will be meeting with our Prime Minister and then visiting Washington to brief the Americans on what to expect, followed by a stop in Ottawa."
"Now, I was expecting the Minister of Magic to accompany me on this little foray, but it seems that he thinks that my experience with Tom Riddle would be more persuasive. And I thought to myself that if my experience with Tom Riddle primarily as a youth would be helpful, would it not follow that bringing along someone who has experience in dealing with Tom Riddle as Voldemort would be even more convincing. Better yet, why not three? So now I ask Ron and Hermione Weasley and Harry Potter if they would be willing to participate in a bit of international diplomacy."
The Golden Trio, though used to a bit of favoritism from the old headmaster, found this invitation just a bit over the top even for him. The rest of the attendees were similarily astounded
"Er...Is this supposed to be our honeymoon then, Professor?" Ron asked, eyes bulging. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"I'm fairly sure that you will will be able to keep yourselve's entertained over the next five days, so yes, you may consider it a honeymoon of sorts. Granted, it isn't Cancun...but we will be within range of Niagra Falls should you so desire..."
"What Ron means, Professor, is that we wouldn't pass this up for the world. ISN'T THAT RIGHT, MISTER GROOM?" Harry asked/declared/demanded.
"Er..........er yes. Right. Yeah. Exactly what I mean..." Ron stuttered.
"In that case, I suggest the three of you get a good night's sleep - though I suppose that suggestion might be hard to follow under the circumstances", his eyes twinkling so much that Harry was sure Dumbledore was signalling ships at sea.
.
THE NEXT DAY (Seven days before the next full moon if you're wondering)
.
Harry leapt out of his bed in the Gryffindor dormitory well-rested but excited. He'd never been outside Britain before in his life. And what exactly was he going to say??
The room of requirement had seen and conjured much over the centuries. Silk sheets were a novelty though. A weary Ron slowly awoke to the strains of "Wild Blue Yonder" being blasted over the enlarged speakers of the alarm clock his wife coyly suggested they would need. Ron slowly crawled out of. Hermione became sentient midway through the "Toast to the Host" bridge and struggled to get vertical. "Mmmmmmmm, thanks for a wonderful night Ron!" She gave her man a hug and staggered over to pour herself and Ron some coffee. After three cups, they were finally fully conscious, sort of. They got dressed and went up to meet Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was outside the Hogwarts gate, whistling softly and pacing....along with most of the remaining students at Hogwarts. "Good morning Harry!" he exclaimed as The-Boy-Who-Lived-And-Became-The-Odds-On-Favourite-To-Kick-Voldemort's-Ass arrived carring a small suitcase. "Morning sir," he said. "I assume we are going to be picked up, then?"
"Indeed Harry. Mr. Blair should be arriving at any minute and we'll take a short drive to the airport."
Hermione and Ron, caffeinated but tired appeared a few minutes later. "Have a good night, Harry?" Ron asked
"Probably not as interesting as yours, but I slept well. You two ready for this?"
"I doubt it...but we'll make do."
A black limousine soon appeared. The Prime Minister hopped out. "Albus!" he said, shaking Dumbledore's hand. "Good to see you again!" He waved. "Good Morning Hogwarts!!" He turned to the three students. "And you must be Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Heard so much about you over the past few months! Ah, well, love to stay and chat, but our flight crew is worried about a front coming down from Scandinavia, so the sooner we get airborne, the better!" He opened the door of the automobile for them, and the four guests crawled in after waving goodbye to their fellow professors and students.
"How is your first year on the job been so far, Tony?" Albus asked.
"Hmmm, well rather rapid paced, especially with this recent debacle. Thought we had been making headway with Ulster. Yanks were a big help with that...but, sigh, a shambles now. Classes suspended at the school here then?"
"Officially classes are suspended, no doubt that the professors will be tutoring students that want to improve their chances with O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. Hopefully we can get O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. taken care of this year."
"You know Albus, I still can't believe that there is a whole community of magic users in the UK that most never see. When I took over from John last year, I thought they were pulling my leg when they briefed me."
Harry finally found the confidence to speak. "I couldn't believe it myself sir. It took a bit of effort to believe Hagrid when he came by, wasn't till I found Diagon Alley that I started believing it."
Hermione spoke next; "I was delighted about getting the Owl, but like Harry I was suspicious, some huge prank"
Mr. Blair was surprised at that, happy to see teenagers willing to speak up. "So, have any of you been overseas before?"
"My family has been to the Riviera several times, Ron's has been to Egypt. Not Harry though."
"Well, Mister Potter, I think your friends will agree that you are in for a treat," Tony said as the limo pulled onto the airport tarmac next to a large private jet. "Gulfstream V, nonstop to Washington, and no waiting in the terminal." They piled aboard. The pilot, Andrew Windsor (Harry could have sworn he looked familiar) gave them a short tour and invited them to the flight deck once they reached their cruising altitude of 41,000 feet. The seats were arranged facing each other. Harry sat facing forward, Ron and Hermione naturally sat facing each other. Harry's ears perked up as he heard the whine of the engines starting. For once he was thankful that Dudley was so interested in helicopters, he picked up enough aerodynamics by osmosis to not be worried. Hermione was quietly explaining Bernoulli's Law to Ron. The plane becan to move, taxiing towards the runway. Andrew hit the intercom, allowing the radio to be heard by all....
"Inverness information Golf 0845 Temperature 05 Centigrade, wind 220 at 15, visibility 25, ceiling 5000...."
"Inverness Ground Gulfstream G-YAGB Express with information Golf, IFR to Washington National, departure to the west."
"Roger Gulfstream, cleared as filed, taxi to runway 24 contact tower at 121.15"
"Tower, Gulfstream G-YAGB Express holding at runway 24, ready for takeoff"
"Gulfstream, cleared for immediate takeoff, maintain runway heading."
The rumble of the engines built to a fierce roar and the aircraft accelerated rapidly. Ron's eyes bulged and he rapidly shifted his view between his window to Hermione, window, Hermione, window, Hermione...as Harry and Dumbledore struggled valiantly to keep a straight face. Hermione felt her hand tingling as her husband squeezed most of the blood from it. The plane lifted up, and Ron felt his heart skip a beat or five as the landing gear retracted with a thump.
The small business jets have the capability, of course, to ascend at a gentle rate as the larger commercial jets do. But any pilot knows that more fuel is consumed at lower altitude, so the more time spent lower than the cruise altitude is fuel wasted, fuel that might prove useful later in the flight. Besides, rapid ascents are so much more FUN!!!...well, for the pilot in any case...and the pilot had royal blood in his veins. Andrew pulled the yoke back steadily, and the aircraft shot through the lower atmosphere. At 10,000 feet, he lowered the nose slightly, allowing the plane to gain speed, and pushed the throttles forward. Ron gasped at seeing the Scottish coast approach and disappear under his feet. Harry was gasping himself. Whatever altitude he'd flown at with his Firebolt, there was no way it could have been, could ever be this high. The monitor on the front wall said ALTITUDE:23,763 (and climbing) OAT -41 C (and falling) SPD 350 kts DIR 295. Amazing. "Note to self," Harry said. "Install similar cool instruments on broom."
Soon the plane had leveled off at 41,000 feet, heading west by northwest. Dumbledore explained that they would head slightly north to accomodate the curve of the earth, then head south as they passed Iceland, making landfall over the tundra of Labrador in Canada. It would also be easier to enter the US through Canadian airspace than as a straight shot from the Atlantic. "The Jet Stream would be right in our face, otherwise. When we go back, it should slice about 2 hours off our time enroute. Who wants to join me up front? " Andrew asked. Ron volunteered and immediately wished his father could have seen it. "So this is what Muggles can do!" he breathed in astonishment. Andrew let him "fly" the plane briefly using the automatic pilot. "I'd let you take the yoke, but at Mach .86 it'd be too easy for you to overspeed the aircraft before either of us knew what happened." Adjusting the direction, speed, and altitude with the autopilot was a thrill of its own. The effect of the coffee, though, was beginning to wear out. He excused himself and went to the leather sofa to stretch out and sleep, waking up briefly to Hermione sliding into his arms.
"They were married last night, Tony," Dumbledore explained.
It wasn't any easier to take up in the late afternoon than it was in the morning. The envioronment was quite different though. They had begun their descent into Washington DC. Harry peered out the window and, he checked it with the Atlas he'd brought, saw the Catskill mountains. Hermione groggily called him to the other side of the jet. "Look, Harry....New York City!. They passed NewYork and Hermione recognized Philadelphia. They were soon on final approach to Washington National Airport.
They landed smoothly and after waving goodbye to His Royal Highness, were hurried onto a large helicopter, greeted by a powerful looking sergeant. The US Marines were used to seeing foreign dignitaries, and the new British Prime Minister was always a joy to have aboard, but who was that old guy in a bathrobe....and were those his kids? Oh well, orders are orders they figured. "Welcome to the United States, he said. We'll be off in just a minute. I'm Gunnery Sergeant Malfoy, and this is the Sikorsky VH-3D. Strap in, and enjoy the ride," he yelled as the huge blades slowly powered the Sikorsky into the air.
They landed on the lawn in front of a large white building Ron recognized immediately. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, District of Columbia.