Chapter 2
The Pairner Inn
They walked through the streets of the small village looking for a place to stay. It was getting darker and they were very hungry. It didn't help that the village had no street lamps to read the signs on the buildings. So, although she hated to do it, Hermione pulled out her wand and muttered, "Lumos!" Instantly the wand tip lit up and she carefully maneuvered it so they could read the signs without anyone noticing what they were using to see.
They walked on through the village for about ten minutes before finally spotting a small inn on Wayland Street. Hermione looked at the other two and put the wand light out. They headed for the door and then stopped. The three of them each took a deep breath and then Harry pushed open the door.
The atmosphere inside the inn was warm and cozy. A desk stood back by a wall in the far corner. To the right was a doorway open to a flight of stairs that lead down instead of up. That must've been why the inn had looked to small to have more than one floor. A crackling fire blazed in the fireplace to the left of the front door. A clutter of comfortable chairs surrounded it. On the other side of the front door, there stood a long table with a single candle ablaze in the middle of it. There were eight chairs surrounding the table. There were torches on the walls and the foundation was made of a strong sturdy cedar wood. Altogether, the whole inn was rather welcoming.
Hermione approached the desk and Harry and Ron followed her, making sure to keep close together as none of them had ever traveled anywhere without an adult. When she got there the inn keeper looked up from the magazine he was reading and smiled gently.
"Hello young lady," he said, "What may I do for you?" Hermione softly sighed with relief at the sound of his kind voice.
"Please sir," she said, "My friends and I are on a journey and we need a place to stay for the night. Would you mind providing us with a room? Don't worry about money, I can pay for it." The inn keeper smiled at her again.
"Of course, young lady, I'll give you the finest and biggest room in the inn. It even has its own kitchen and it's stocked with food if you are hungry. It'll be like having your own little place to live." Hermione smiled brightly.
"Thank you, sir. How much will that be?"
"That will be five galleons please."
"Alright, let me just get my money out here." She began to look through her purse when she realized what he had said. "Wait a minute, did you just say galleons?"
"That's right."
"Then you must be a wizard. But hold on, do you say that to all your guests?"
"Sure do."
"But don't the muggles look at you weird?"
"The muggles? Heavens no, they don't even know the inn exists. Just like the Leaky Cauldron in London, the Pairner Inn is invisible to the muggle eye. So naturally, the only guests we get are witches and wizards. But what I have to know is why are you kids going on a journey now? You don't look old enough to have graduated from school yet. You're going to miss out on your last one or two years."
"Actually," began Harry, "We do not intend on attending Hogwarts our seventh year of school. I am on a mission and I will not settle down until I do what has to be done!" He slammed a fist into the palm of his other hand and the inn keeper looked at him wide-eyed.
"Say, aren't you Harry Potter?" Harry nodded. "Well in that case, the room is free. Let me guess, you are off to destroy you-know-who, right?" Harry nodded again and the inn keeper smiled at him. "Good going. The wizarding world will be a much better place without him in the way. You know he killed my son?" Harry shook his head. He felt a great deal of remorse for the inn keeper. "Yep, and just last year at about this time maybe a little later, he killed my wife. Maybe you know her, Amelia Bones?"
"Amelia Bones?" said Harry, "You're Susan's father?" The inn keeper nodded.
"That's right. Is Susan a friend of yours?"
"Well, sort of. I've talked to her before but I've never really hung out with her. Your daughter was very shy in the beginning but she's loosened up a lot. She's not very shy anymore. In fact I think she may have a boyfriend but I'm not sure." Mr. Bones smiled.
"Is that right?"
"So, you're really her father?" Ron asked. "I thought you worked at the ministry like her mother did."
"Well, I did work at the ministry for some time but without Amelia around to help out, I had to quit and get a job that would pay me more so I could afford to take care of Susan and make sure she has everything she needs. So, I got a job here, at Mr. Pairner's inn. When I told him my situation, he made me inn keeper and offered to pay three times the amount he normally paid. Well, I certainly couldn't pass that up. With that, I would be making more than me and Amelia made together. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. So now, Susan and I live on the bottom floor of the inn in the inn keeper's apartment. She's down there right now if you would like to go see her. Just take the stairs all the way to the bottom." Harry, Ron, and Hermione gave him their thanks and headed for the stairs. "Oh!" Mr. Bones called out, "I almost forgot! Here's your room key!" Hermione ran back, took the key, and called out another thanks as she ran to catch back up with Harry and Ron who were already half way down the first flight of stairs.
The trio raced down the stairs. They had totally forgotten to tell Susan how sorry they were about her mother's death the previous year at school. Now they had to make up with lost time. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they spotted a door to the right. They walked over and stood in front of it.
Inn Keeper's Apartment
"Well, this is it," Hermione said. She knocked on the door and held her breath. A few moments later, a girl no older than seventeen with long red hair opened the door. She looked a little tired as if she had been napping. Her eyes went wide with shock when she saw the three of them standing there.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione! What are you three doing here!" The surprise of the trio at her door seemed to wake her up. She was a lot more enthusiastic than she had looked when she first open the door.
"We're on a journey and we stopped here for the night," Harry said.
"You stopped here, at our inn?" She looked as though she was even more shocked by this sudden news. "Well, don't just stand there, come on in. She stepped aside to let the three of them in. Then, she shut the door behind them. "So, does this journey have anything to do with you-know-who?"
"Oh, it has everything to do with him," Harry said. Susan nodded.
"I kind of figured as much. I didn't think you would just stand on the sidelines and wait for him to come to you. Especially, not after Dumbledore was killed. No, I figured you'd be out there trying to find him and make him pay for everything he's done. Please, Harry, I beg of you, make him pay as much for killing my mum as you make him pay for killing your parents and Dumbledore. You don't have to do for you but do it for me so that I may have my revenge for what he did." Harry nodded.
"Alright Susan, I'll be sure to do that for you."
"Thank you Harry." She hugged him and Harry smiled and hugged her back. It was nice to do that he was still able to do things for others. He knew that if he did this, it might make Susan feel a lot better. That was one of the reasons he had agreed to do it for her. He wanted to see the bright and cheery Susan again, not this dreary and tired one. It didn't make sense for Susan to try and sleep all her troubles away. There was no way that was going to get her anywhere.
"You're welcome Susan. Now, I hope this will help you start to feel better. I know your mum was very important to you. Mine was important to me even though I never really got the chance to get to know her. I don't know what's worse, losing a parent you never really knew or losing a parent you knew for several years and got the chance to love."
"Honestly," said Susan, "I think they're both bad. I don't think either one is worse than the other because if you look at it, they're both worse than the other in their own way, making them equal. You see, losing a parent that you never got the chance to really develop a relationship with is worse because that parent will never be able to hug you and you will never be able to hug that parent nor will you ever really get to know what that parent may have been like. And on the other hand, having a parent there while you grow up and then all of a sudden losing them is a major heartbreak because you remember everything about that parent and realize that you will never get to hug them or kiss them again nor will you ever really get to hear them say I love you anymore. So you see they are both equal. Neither is worse than the other."
"That makes perfect sense," Harry responded. "I'm still sorry that you lost your mother thought. That must've been really hard for you and your dad. I do hope that I can help you to feel better."
"Um, no offence Susan, but, did your dad love your mum?" asked Ron. "He seemed a little to cheery for someone who'd just lost his wife no more than a year ago."
"Oh! Of course he loved my mum. My dad's just always been one of those 'Look on the bright side of things' kind of people. That's why he seems to be all happy but inside he's hurting, he's hurting really bad. I know because I can hear him crying sometimes at night. I think he dreams about my mum all the time. He really does miss her."
"Oh, I see what you're saying now. Thanks for clearing that up for me, I really was a little bit confused. It isn't everyday you see someone all cheery even though they've just recently lost a loved one."
"Yeah, it's not too common. Well, I was trying to do some studying but I guess I fell asleep. If you don't mind I really should get back to work. It was nice of you to stop by and pay your respects to me though. I shall be happy to perhaps maybe see you tomorrow before you head out on the next leg of your journey."
"That would be nice," said Hermione. She gestured to Harry and Ron. "Come on you two, we better let her get to work. Hopefully she won't fall asleep again. It seems like she's doing some really important studying." She looked back at Susan and smiled. Susan laughed, waved bye and shut the door. Hermione turned back to Harry and Ron. "Alright, we better find that room. We need to eat and get some sleep. We need to get an early start in the morning." Harry and Ron nodded.
"Well, I guess now we know why Susan's usually so cheery all the time," said Ron. "She gets it from her dad. Only I think her dad's cheeriness is much stronger. She seems to be depressed about her mother's death. And he's just trying to look on the bright side of things." Harry and Hermione agreed.
They climbed back up the stairs until they reached the third level under the lobby. Once they reached the landing they split up down the hallways to search for the room. Whoever found it would go and get the other two and bring them back. Then they planned on going in the room, eating, and going straight to bed. As the saying goes, "The early bird catches the worm," or "Early to bed, early to rise." They needed to be good and rested for their next day's traveling.
As it turned out, Hermione wound up finding the room. She went and found the other two and they went in as planned. But when they opened the door, they were amazed to find something much nicer than expected. The room wasn't just a room, it was a suite. And it was as nice as a luxury apartment. All of them gazed around in amazement.
"Holy shit," Ron cried. "This is a guest room! Looks more like some celebrity's apartment to me." He was gazing wide-eyed around the room.
"Well," Harry said, "Mr. Bones did say that he was going to give us the best room in the whole inn. I wonder how much food is in the refrigerator." He started to wander into the kitchen but Hermione pulled him back.
"Hold it chow monster. We've got a slight problem. There's only one bedroom. You see, it would work if there were two but one, I don't know about that."
"Uh, Hermione," said Ron, "How would three people work with two bedrooms?"
"Simple," Harry answered. "One person could take one bedroom, one person could take the other bedroom, and the last person could sleep on the couch. Isn't that right Hermione?"
"That's right. You see, it would work with two bedrooms but in our situation, there is only one. That means either all three of us have to bunk together, or two people sleep in the bedroom and one person sleeps on the couch. Those are our options. I would say to people can sleep in the living room and one person could get the bedroom but there is only room for one to sleep in the living room."
"Well, that's easily solved then. You can have the living room and Harry and I will take the bedroom. Can we eat now?"
"Hold it fly boy!" Harry said. And it was his turn to pull someone back. "If it really was that simple, Hermione wouldn't have pointed out the problem in the first place. There has to be some sort of catch. Okay Hermione, lay it on us."
"I absolutely have to sleep in the bed. I can't get comfortable on the couch. I never have been able to sleep on a couch no matter how comfortable it is. So, the catch is this, one of you boys is going to have to share the room with me. And to be honest, no offense to you Ron, but I'd feel much more comfortable if Harry slept in the room with me. And no, it's not a safety issue. It's just, well, I rather not risk us getting into an argument while were here and you know if you and I are alone together, we're liable to start some sort of row." Ron nodded to show that he understood what she meant.
"Alright, I'll sleep on the couch then, no big deal." He walked into the living room and sat his backpack down on the couch. "This should be no trouble for me. I used to fall asleep on the couch all the time when I was little. So, I will have no problem sleeping on the couch. You two can go and have your fun." He winked devilishly and hurried into the kitchen.
"Oooooooo, when I get my hands on that Ronald Weasley, I swear he'll never hear the end of it!" Hermione shouted, storming into the bedroom to put her backpack down. Harry followed her.
"Calm down Hermione, I'm sure Ron didn't mean it. You know how he is. He's just emphasizing on what everyone at school's been saying. Besides, you said you didn't want to start a row with him. That's exactly what this little outburst is going to do if you don't watch yourself. Don't get mad at me, I'm just warning you."
"I know," Hermione said with a sigh. "You're right Harry, I need to stop letting his little antics and jokes get to me. That's probably why we fight so much. Because I get mad at almost every little thing the poor guy does. You know, this may sound strange, but maybe if I had a boyfriend, I'd become a little looser. You guys might have more fun around me if I was looser because then I'd be open to more ideas and I wouldn't go against you two so often."
"Yes, Hermione, you do go against me and Ron quite a lot but that doesn't make me like you any less. I like you just the way you are. If you want to loosen up, that's fine. If you don't, that's okay too. I like you for you Hermione, not for what you do. You are a great girl in my opinion and that's what makes you beautiful both inside and out."
"Why Harry, that is one of the smartest things I ever heard you say." Then, Hermione did something Harry had not been expecting. She walked over to him, leaned up, and kissed him firmly and passionately on the lips. At first Harry didn't know how to respond but then he let his mouth do the work and slipped into the kiss enjoying every moment of it. He soon deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around Hermione's back. She wrapped her arms around his neck in response.
Suddenly, Ron burst through the door. Harry and Hermione pulled out of the kiss so fast to look at him that they had no time to remember to remove their arms. Ron stood there gaping at them. He looked as though he had been about to ask them a question but all thoughts were erased from his mind. Harry and Hermione knew that he was rooted to the spot and was wondering exactly what it was he had interrupted. Well, actually, Harry thought that Ron had to have some idea about what was going on but he couldn't be sure.
"What were you two just doing! And why are you standing there like that!" Ron's mouth dropped open. "You two were kissing, weren't you? You were going to have sex!" Hermione's eyes went wide.
"Now Ron, what on ever made you think that Harry and I were going to do something like that!" She was a little bit hurt that Ron would automatically assume something like that. She didn't think Ron was that kind of person. But than again, you find out new things about your friends everyday. "I did not once think of sex! I am hurt that you would think something like that!"
"Well, you might not have been thinking of sex," Ron said, "But Harry may be an entirely different story. You should know by now that guys only think with their dicks!" Hermione looked at him for a moment and then started laughing. "What's so funny!"
"I'm sorry, Ron, it's just the idea that YOU would ever think with your dick. Why Ronald, I don't think I've ever even seen you involved in any flirting. Forgive for saying so but I think you're trying to peg that on us because you're embarrassed that you never even had sex with a girl."
"That's not true! I did have a girlfriend you know!" Hermione could tell that Ron was getting angry but she didn't back down.
"Yeah Lavender. And you two practically made a living out of snogging each other but that's all you ever did. You never did anything in the way of sexual intercourse."
"How would you know what Lavender and I have done? You were never around!" Ron yelled angrily. "You were angry with me because at the time you liked me and you were jealous of her!"
"Oh yeah Ron, that is so like you. Realize the truth after it's long gone."
"And what's that supposed to mean!"
"She doesn't like you that way anymore, mate. You lost your chance," Harry said, entering the argument. "Now, can we please stop arguing? Don't forget, we've got a job to do and it's not going to work very well if you two keep bickering." Ron and Hermione nodded.
"You're right Harry," Hermione said and Ron agreed.
"And if you really want to know Hermione," Ron began, "You were right I never had any kind of sexual relationship with Lavender. I was waiting for someone who meant more to me, someone like you. But you don't like me anymore. So, I don't know what to do now."
"Oh Ron, just because I don't like you that way anymore, doesn't mean I won't be honored to be the girl you want to lose it to. But we should talk about this when it's more necessary. Like when the Dark Lord is gone. At least then we'll know it's safe to have children." She laughed and Ron turned a bright shade of red.
"But Hermione, don't you want Harry to take yours?"
"Oh! Um…" Hermione turned a deep shade of pink and looked down at her feet. "I've already…um…lost mine." Harry and Ron looked at her with curiosity.
"What?" Harry asked. "You've already lost yours?" Ron was too surprised by this news to say anything. "Who did you lose it to? How did you lose it?"
"First of all, who did it is none of your concern and that's because I don't want you two going off to beat the person to the ground when I finish telling you this." Harry and Ron looked worried.
"Beat the person to the ground?" Harry asked, "Hermione, what exactly are you trying to say? Did someone rape you? If they did they're going to pay but not by fighting. Hermione, if someone raped you, you have to tell us who. The person has to be turned in. Justice has to be done. So tell me now, did someone rape you?" Hermione looked down at the ground again. Slowly, she nodded her head. "Oh shit! Who would do such a horrible thing!" Ron now had a look on his face that seemed to be a mixture of sympathy and anger. He walked over to Hermione and put his arms around her.
"If I tell you, will you promise not to go beat the person up?"
"Why on earth do you think Ron and I would go beat the person up?"
"Oh trust me, you would."
"Fine, if you tell us, we promise not to go and beat the person up. If that is what it takes to get you to tell us so we can find someone to talk to and make sure this person doesn't get away with this unpunished, than we will do it!" Harry said.
"Ron?" Ron looked at her and nodded.
"Anything for you Hermione," he said. She smiled at him weakly. Then she looked up and straightened herself out.
"Alright, I'll tell you. It was…it was…"
"Come on Hermione, who was it?" Ron asked. "You know you can tell us anything." Hermione nodded and took a deep breath.
"It was Malfoy," she said quickly. Harry and Ron looked at her, their eyes wide with shock. Again, Ron was speechless.
"What?" Harry said. "Malfoy? That bastard! Ooooooooo, I am so going to get him for this! And it won't be by fighting. I promised you it wouldn't be and I am true to my word." He was silent for a moment. "Wait a minute! Malfoy? Why would Malfoy want to rape you? He hates you. He wouldn't even go near you with a ten foot pole!" Hermione shook her head.
"No idea. I think maybe it must've been planned or something because the whole time he kept whispering to someone I didn't think was there because I didn't see anyone. On top of that, I noticed a walky-talky lying on the ground nearby. Malfoy's up to something, I just don't know what. And now I'm afraid, I may be pregnant!"
"Pregnant?" Harry asked calmly. "What makes you think you're pregnant?"
"Because he didn't use a condom and I'm a week overdue for my monthly visit from Aunt Flow."
"You mean your period's late?" Ron said suddenly. Hermione blushed and nodded slowly. "Damnit that Draco! I swear if Hermione is pregnant, he will pay for this."
"What do you mean if Hermione's pregnant? He's going to pay for it anyway!" Harry shouted. Ron nodded agreement.
"Right! Don't worry, Hermione, we'll take care of this. We should probably get you to a doctor and have you looked at while we're at it." Hermione nodded, smiled, and threw her arms around both of them.
"Well, that's enough talking. We should eat and then get some sleep. We have an early start in the morning." She kissed Harry on the cheek and gave Ron a hug and headed out of the room. Ron looked at Harry who just shrugged and started for the door. When he reached he spun around for one last word.
"She's right. We do have an early start in the morning and our first priority is finding a doctor and getting her checked out." Ron nodded and Harry turned and left the room. Ron sighed heavily and followed pursuit.